Gum disease, clinically known as periodontitis, is one of the most common oral health issues, estimated to affect one out of every two adults in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Not only can this disease cause uncomfortable symptoms like chronic bad breath, but it can also lead to the overall deterioration of the foundation of your soft and hard oral tissues that support your teeth. As a result, untreated gum disease often results in tooth loss. Schedule a consultation today to learn how we can help you fight back with personalized gum disease treatment in Alpharetta.
Why Choose Alpharetta Modern Dentistry for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Periodontal Inspections at Every Checkup
- Caring & Compassionate Dental Team
- Same-Day Dental Treatments Available
What Is Gum Disease?
We know that gum disease is extremely common and that it can lead to serious oral health issues, but what is it exactly? Simply put, periodontal (gum) disease is an infection in the gum tissue. When oral bacteria first begin to irritate the gums, it’s categorized as gingivitis. Gingivitis is incredibly common but can be treated and even reversed if addressed early enough. However, left untreated, it will advance into periodontitis. This later stage cannot be reversed and is characterized by the infection attacking and damaging the tooth roots and jawbone.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Patients may experience a wide range of symptoms related to gum disease, depending on how far the condition has progressed, such as:
- Chronic bad breath
- Gum recession that makes teeth appear longer
- Gums that bleed easily while brushing or flossing
- Pockets of pus formed between the teeth and gums
- Loose or shifting teeth
- A change in your bite
- Tenderness or discomfort when chewing food
- Swollen, inflamed, or dark red or purple-looking gums
- Tooth loss
How Do We Treat Gum Disease?
At Alpharetta Modern Dentistry, we offer a variety of treatments to help keep periodontal disease at bay. From specialized mouth rinses you can use at home to targeted treatments like scaling and root planing, our team has the tools you need to keep your smile happy and healthy. If Dr. Labastida or Dr. Kakadia detect any stage of gum disease during your appointment, they’ll review all your treatment options with you to create a custom care plan. Depending on how far your gum disease has progressed, we may recommend specialized cleanings with a hygienist, scaling and root planing, gingival irrigation, or OraCare mouth rinse.
Specialized Cleanings with Hygienist
If you have periodontal disease, you can expect that our team will provide more in-depth cleaning to help your oral health. While regular six-month dental checkups focus more on removing plaque and tartar from above the gumline, deep cleanings will focus more on the area unseen by the naked eye. We can use specialized instruments to rid your gums of debris and bacteria that cause inflammation and infection, helping to improve the state of your oral and overall health. Routine specialized cleanings with one of our hygienists will help keep your smile safe from the effects of untreated gum disease, and may even help reverse the process.
Scaling & Root Planing
To combat the effects of gum disease and either reverse or keep the symptoms from progressing, our team offers deep cleanings designed specifically for gum disease treatment, also known as scaling and root planing. First, we’ll clear away all plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth, as far down as the gumline. We’ll then smooth out the roots of the teeth, being sure to remove any hardened bacteria. This will ensure your gums reconnect to your teeth, allowing them to provide crucial protection to the vulnerable roots.
Gingival Irrigation
In addition to scaling and root planing, we will incorporate gingival irrigation. This process injects antimicrobial solutions into the gum pockets and flushes out harmful debris and bacteria so that gums may begin to heal. Our team will likely recommend that you invest in a Waterpik, which is a water flosser that can help to improve gum health while at home.
OraCare Mouth Rinse
While daily brushing and flossing are extremely important when it comes to the prevention and management of gum disease, they only clean a relatively small portion of your mouth where harmful bacteria can reside. That’s why we often recommend patients add OraCare Mouth Rinse to their hygiene regimen. It’s able to quickly and effectively clean areas like the tongue, cheeks, and back of the lips, drastically lowering someone’s risk of developing both tooth decay and gum disease.