Gum Disease Is an Oral and General Health Concern
Gum (periodontal) disease is a serious oral infection caused by hundreds of harmful bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria produce toxins, which destroy the bone and structures that support your teeth. As this bone loss progresses, teeth can become loose, and even lost to this destructive oral condition. In fact, gum disease is the number one cause of adult tooth loss today! Gum disease not only affects the health of your smile. Recent scientific research links the presence of gum disease to a host of systemic health concerns, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and pregnancy complications. When gum disease threatens your oral health, you need a compassionate, experienced team to restore and maintain your periodontal health.
Do You Have Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease?
Dr. Rajiv Motwani and our dental hygiene team are highly trained in identifying signs of gum disease, and perform regular screenings for the condition. However, any concerns you have between your dental visits warrant prompt evaluation. Bleeding and other signs or symptoms of gum disease are never normal. Contact our team today if you notice one or more of the following:
- Bleeding gums
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath or taste
- Pus around teeth and gums
- Loose teeth
- Gum recession
- Tooth sensitivity
The Importance of Timely Treatment
Gum disease is common, but will not resolve on its own. We offer thorough, gentle non-surgical treatment for gum disease to help resolve active areas of infection and manage long-term oral health.
Scaling and Root Planing Therapy: With scaling and root planing, we numb treatment areas with local anesthetic and go below the gum line to remove plaque, tartar and bacterial buildup from the root surfaces. Areas of infected tissue are allowed to heal and reattach to tooth structure, reducing periodontal pocket depths and improving gum tissue health.
Periodontal Maintenance: Beyond 90 days, bacteria that cause gum disease grow rather quickly. It is therefore imperative to maintain your periodontal health following gum disease treatment. We do this through periodontal maintenance visits, which allow us to manage oral bacteria and clean above and below the gums before plaque and tartar have a chance to accumulate. Periodontal maintenance cleanings replace biannual cleanings, and occur every three to four months.
Your Partner in Better Oral Health
There is no cure for gum disease. But our team is well-equipped to help you maintain your oral health and your smile. We offer thorough, personalized care from our state-of-the-art practice, and ensure your total comfort, no matter your needs. If you are nervous about gum disease treatment, ask our team about our relaxing sedation dentistry options.