Gum Disease Treatment Midlothian
Protect Your Gum Health
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a bacterial infection that affects the gums, roots of the teeth, as well as the bone that supports them. It’s estimated that about 80% of the adult population currently suffers from a mild form of it, and many are completely unaware because early symptoms are very easy to miss. They include things like red, swollen, or tender gums that tend to bleed often during brushing and flossing. Over time, it can eventually become much more serious. In fact, periodontal disease is actually the leading cause of adult tooth loss around the world, and it has even been shown to increase a person’s risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and dementia!
This is why, at Marvel Dental, we always screen our patients’ gums at every standard checkup. Should we spot any signs of infection, we’ll quickly utilize gum disease treatment in Midlothian designed to get it under control. If any of the symptoms we touched on above sound familiar, be sure to contact us today so we can keep your smile (and more!) protected.
Gingivitis
You have probably heard the term gingivitis before, and it’s actually the name for early-stage periodontal disease. Periodontal disease typically occurs due to a buildup of plaque and bacteria along the gum line because of a lack of oral hygiene, and at this stage, the telltale symptoms are swollen gums that can be quite sensitive. At this point, it can usually be treated with more diligent homecare and additional dental cleanings provided by our staff. A key to preventing the onset of periodontal disease is to make sure you floss and brush along your gum line every day.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis is the advanced stage of periodontal disease, which means the infection has started to damage the roots of the teeth and the bone around them. It can eventually destroy both of these structures, leading to tooth loss. At this point, we will need to use more advanced treatments to counteract it:
- Scaling and Root Planing (SRP): This is a type of dental cleaning that is specifically focused on the gum line and roots of the teeth. Bacteria and plaque are systematically removed from beneath the gums, and then the roots of the teeth are slightly reshaped to prevent any future buildup from occurring.
- Arestin Therapy: After SRP, the dentist may apply a topical antibiotic on the gums in order to eliminate more deeply hidden bacteria. On the gums, Arestin quickly dries, and then it will slowly dissolve over the next few days, so the powerful medicine can reach the remaining bacteria.
- Periodontal Surgery: In severe cases of periodontal disease, infected tissue may need to be removed surgically in order to prevent the infection from spreading. For this, our dentist will refer a patient to one of their trusted specialists.