Gum Disease Treatment – Fort Worth, TX
Curbing the Impact of Gum Disease
Cavities aren't the only threat to your dental health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 50% of adults have a form of gum disease. It's a leading cause of tooth loss and can affect your general wellness negatively. We offer effective solutions to stop the infection in its tracks. We can restore a healthy smile with gum disease treatment.
Why Choose Karen Neil Fort Worth Dentistry for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Friendly & Experienced Dentist
- Patient-Centered Dental Care
- Dental Sedation Available
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a preventable infection that's most often caused by poor oral hygiene. A toothbrush can't reach everywhere in your mouth, allowing plaque and tartar to accumulate, which harbors harmful oral bacteria. The gums can become inflamed and may bleed easily with brushing and flossing. With no treatment, the infection can destroy the supporting structures of your teeth. Research has shown that bacteria from the infection may also enter your bloodstream, increasing your risk of several health concerns, including Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and preterm delivery.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Symptoms of gum disease can be subtle and can appear in many ways. The most common signs of gum disease include:
- Red and inflamed gums
- Gums that bleed easily
- Gum recession
- Chronic bad breath
- Pus near the gum line
- Tooth sensitivity
- Shifting teeth
- Bad taste in the mouth
How Do We Treat Gum Disease?
No two situations are identical. Your dentist will examine your mouth to create a personalized strategy to restore your gum health using one or more treatments, which may include:
Scaling & Root Planing
Early signs of gum disease can be notoriously tricky to spot, which often allows the condition to progress to the following stages before it’s caught. If you have worsening periodontal problems, you may need scaling and root planing to keep the advanced stage at bay. This two-part procedure clears plaque from your gumline and encourages the tissue to reattach to your enamel if they’ve receded.
Continue reading to learn more about how Dr. Neil can address your gum disease with scaling and root planing, and feel free to contact us with additional questions.
Do I Need Scaling & Root Planing?
If you’ve noticed that your gums look darker or puffier than usual or that you have bleeding or oozing when you brush and floss, you may have developed gum disease. Gingivitis, the earliest stage, can sometimes be reversed with a more diligent at-home dental hygiene routine. Consistently clearing away plaque buildup from your teeth and along your gumline can often halt periodontal problems in their tracks.
However, if the disease has already progressed, professional intervention is required to address it effectively. Scaling and root planing allows our team to remove harmful tartar formations for a deep clean.
The Process of Scaling & Root Planing
Although it might vary somewhat based on your unique circumstances, typically, this treatment necessitates two separate visits. At your first appointment, we’ll use special dental instruments, like a scaler, to gently scrape away any plaque from the surface of your teeth. We will also carefully reach into the pockets of your gums to ensure that no residue is left beneath the surface.
During your second appointment, we’ll smooth the roots of your teeth to discourage bacteria from clinging to the surface. This step also helps your connective tissue to reattach to your enamel to prevent it from receding.
Aftercare Tips for Scaling & Root Planing
It’s natural to experience some sensitivity or mild to moderate aches after undergoing this thorough cleaning process. The following after-care tips can help you recover as quickly and efficiently as possible:
- Rinse with warm saltwater to naturally disinfect and soothe inflammation or irritation. Mix ¼ teaspoon of salt with about 8 ounces of water and stir until the solution is dissolved. Then gently rinse it around your mouth and spit it out. Repeat until your glass is empty.
- Switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush so that you don’t exacerbate your already sore gums when you clean your teeth. Also, try gently scrubbing in a circular motion instead of back and forth to avoid worsening discomfort.
- Avoid overly hot, spicy, or acidic food and drinks (and alcohol) that can trigger additional aches.
- Quit smoking or chewing tobacco; the nicotine restricts your blood flow, which can slow the healing process.
- Stick to a soft diet for the first 48 hours following your procedure.
- Get plenty of rest and steer clear of strenuous activities that elevate your heartrate or blood pressure.
Antibiotic Treatment
In combination with scaling and root planing, you may benefit from antibiotic therapy. Your dentist may prescribe an antibiotic mouthwash or a pill that you’ll take daily to minimize oral bacteria in your mouth. After a week or so, your dentist may ask you to come back in for a follow-up to make sure the infection is being resolved.
With changes to your home oral hygiene habits and more frequent cleanings and checkups, you can prevent the infection from recurring. If you have symptoms of gum disease, do not wait to see a dentist. Request an appointment through our website or call our office at (817) 663-1588.
Laser Periodontal Treatment
For more advanced cases of gum disease, we may recommend laser periodontal treatment. This method uses our Gemini soft tissue diode laser to remove disease tissue with extreme procedure, leaving healthy tissue intact. By utilizing this method, we can minimize bleeding, offers better results, and speeds healing compared to traditional surgical gum disease treatment, which requires a scalpel and suture. Here’s how this treatment works!
How Laser Periodontal Treatment Works
Laser periodontal treatment allows us to remove damaged tissue and bacteria from the pockets around the teeth. The laser only targets diseased gum tissue and sterilizes the area, reducing bacteria levels and promoting healing. Additionally, the laser can be used to access and remove tartar buildup beneath the gumline, helping healthy gum tissue to reattach to the teeth.
The Benefits of Laser Periodontal Treatment
Laser periodontal treatment offers many benefits. Here are some of the most prominent ones.
- Minimally Invasive: Dental lasers are very precise and only target diseased tissue, leaving health tissue untouched. This means minimal discomfort, reduces bleeding, and less swelling during and after the procedure.
- Quick Recovery: Because laser periodontal treatment is minimally invasive, the recovery time is much quicker than traditional gum surgery. You should be able to return to your normal schedule after a day or two.
- Lowers Risk of Infection: The dental laser sterilizes the area, reducing the risk of infection.
- Effective: Laser periodontal treatment is highly effective at removing infected tissue and bacteria from the packets around the teeth. This results in improved gum health and reduced risk of complications.
Aftercare Tips for Laser Periodontal Treatment
Your gums will need to take the time to heal after your procedure. Here are some steps you should take following laser periodontal treatment.
- Eat soft, notorious foods
- Avoid hot and spicy food
- Avoid hard, crunchy goods
- Brush your teeth twice daily
- Floss between your teeth once a day
- Rinse your mouth with antimicrobial mouthwash
Gum Disease Treatment FAQs
Will I eventually lose my teeth to gum disease?
It is not a guarantee that you will lose teeth if you have gum disease; however, the risk drastically increases the longer you wait to seek treatment. When your symptoms can no longer be reversed, it is because you have reached a more advanced stage known as periodontitis. This means that the infection has spread to your underlying root and bone, causing gum pockets to form and bone deterioration.
Without timely care, you can expect your teeth to become loose and eventually fall out. At this point, your risk of more serious health conditions increases, as the infection can enter your bloodstream and spread to other parts of your body.
How can I manage gum disease while pregnant?
Gum disease is a common concern among pregnant women. As hormones change, so does the immune system, making it harder to fight off the infection. To avoid worsening oral health issues, it’s important that you:
- Maintain a good oral hygiene routine at home by brushing your teeth twice daily for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste. Also, floss at least once before bedtime and rinse regularly using a dentist-approved mouthwash. This can help you avoid dry mouth and minimize bad bacteria that commonly cause gum disease.
- Watch what you eat so that you do not consume foods that increase your risk of gum inflammation and infection. This includes sugars and starches, both of which doctors say can cause additional problems for you and your baby if consumed in excess.
- Ask your dentist about gum disease treatment in Fort Worth if you notice early signs of bleeding, swelling, and tenderness around your soft oral tissues. This will ensure you get the care you need much sooner and avoid potential gum detachment and bone deterioration over time.
Can I live a normal life with gum disease?
You can continue to enjoy life even if you have gum disease, but it will mean making certain adjustments. Not only will you need more frequent teeth cleanings and periodontal maintenance, but you’ll also need to improve your at-home oral hygiene habits.
The quality of your life may also change as your teeth, gums, and bones become more vulnerable depending on how severe your gum disease is; you may require advanced, complex care, including laser periodontal therapy, antibiotic treatment, and scaling and root planing.
Also, if you lose one or more teeth, you will need to decide how to replace them to avoid more serious problems in the future, such as difficulty eating, speaking, and smiling confidently.
Can gum disease come back after it has been treated?
Gum disease can return. It all depends on your commitment and whether you want to take proper care of your oral health. Your teeth and gums need daily care, so good oral hygiene and regular dental cleanings and periodontal maintenance are essential. Failing to uphold these standards will only increase your risk of reinfection, which can further damage your smile and overall health.