Gum disease treatment: Achieve Attractive, Healthy Gums
Are your gums swollen, tender, or receded? Or perhaps your gums bleed easily when you brush or floss? These could be signs of periodontal disease, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. The good news? While gum disease affects about 75% of Americans, it doesn’t have to become your reality. Biltmore Commons Dental Care offers non-surgical gum disease treatment for patients in Phoenix, Arizona, and the nearby locations. Visit our office today, and reclaim your healthy gums.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is an inflammatory condition that affects the gums and surrounding tissues. Gum disease often stems from poor oral hygiene, which allows dental plaque to accumulate. Over time, the harmful bacteria in plaque inflame your gums, causing gingivitis, the earliest form of periodontitis.
Clinical signs of gingivitis include:
- Red, swollen gums
- Sensitive teeth
- Tender gums
- Gums that bleed easily when flossing or brushing
Many people hope that gingivitis will stop, but gum disease is progressive. Left untreated, the infection grows beneath the surface, attacking the structures that support the teeth. Advanced gum disease erodes bone levels, leading to tooth loss over time.
What is the link between gum disease and systemic health?
The worst news about gum disease is that it isn’t localized in your mouth. Uncontrolled gum disease creates an inflammatory burden in the body, heightening the risk of several systemic conditions. Gum disease-causing bacteria have been linked to heart disease and other health conditions, including:
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Osteoporosis
- Pregnancy complications (pre-term and low birth weight)
- Dementia
- Respiratory infections
Periodontal disease affects not only your gums but also your overall health. That’s why early detection, consistent care, and timely treatment are essential to protect both your smile and your well-being.
How is gum disease treated?
At our office, our dentists use a conservative approach to treating gum disease. If we diagnose you with gingivitis, treatment is as simple as dental cleanings and diligent oral hygiene. However, if you have advanced gum disease, treatment involves deep teeth cleaning, a two-step procedure that involves:
- Scaling: A non-surgical periodontal procedure that involves the meticulous removal of subgingival plaque and calculus from deep pockets to reduce microbial load and inflammation.
- Root scaling: An adjunctive procedure that smooths the root surfaces by removing embedded calculus, promoting reattachment of gums to your teeth.
Deep teeth cleaning demands more skills than standard cleanings. Our team uses gentle but thorough techniques to remove hidden bacteria and promote healing. After treatment, ongoing care is essential to keep the infection under control. We recommend periodontal maintenance visits every 3-4 months to maintain optimal gum health.
Do I need surgery?
Rarely. Our dentists can treat most cases with non-surgical interventions. However, periodontal surgery may be needed when:
- The pockets are root deep to clean with scaling instruments
- There is irreversible damage to the gums and underlying bone
Possible surgical treatments for gum disease include gum flap surgery (pocket reduction) and soft tissue grafting. No matter the stage of your gum disease, we will walk with you until you regain your healthy gums.
Who offers gum disease treatment in Phoenix, Arizona?
Do you suspect gum disease? Reclaim your healthy gums with advanced periodontal treatment at Biltmore Commons Dental Care. To get started, dial (602) 663-9919 or schedule your appointment online anytime. Let’s get your gum health back on track.
