Gum Disease Treatment Westhampton
Helping Patients Overcome Infection and Preserve Smiles
Gum disease, which is also called periodontal disease, is a more common problem than you might think. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that about 50% of the US adult population has at least a mild form of it. Untreated, this infection can have devastating impacts, not just on your smile but on your overall health. Needless to say, we take gum health very seriously here at Beach Dental, and for patients in need, we can provide the specialty care they deserve right here in Westhampton.
Why Choose Us?
- Gum screenings performed at every appointment
- Expert hygiene team provides deep cleanings
- In house gum surgery with our talented doctors
What is Gum Disease?
An inflammatory, bacterial infection, gum disease comes from having plaque buildup on your teeth around the gumline. This white sticky substance hardens and starts by harming your gum tissue, but it doesn’t stop there. In later stages, periodontitis spreads to the jawbone and weakens the support and stability of teeth, causing eventual tooth loss. Recent studies have found that the same strain of bacteria that causes gum disease seems to be present in patients who suffer from Alzheimer’s and dementia. Research also shows that those who have untreated gum disease are substantially more likely to have a higher risk of heart disease, uncontrolled diabetes, certain kinds of cancer, and other health ailments.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
If you aren’t paying attention, the warning signs of gum disease may be easy to overlook. Fortunately, if you regularly come in for dental checkups, we can help you keep a close eye on your oral health.
Symptoms can include everything from redness, swelling, and oral bleeding early on to loose teeth and even tooth loss in later stages. Gingivitis, the first stage, consists of puffy, red gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss. After this, the gum tissue recedes or pulls back, and then teeth may start to feel more sensitive because the root structure becomes exposed. Finally, your teeth may feel unstable or come out completely.
How Do We Treat Gum Disease?
The sooner we can address gum disease, the better! In the beginning, red, swollen gums can usually be reversed with healthy oral habits, including daily brushing and flossing as well as regular cleanings. More advanced gum disease may require further treatment with our team.
Oral DNA
DNA testing can prove very useful when trying to pinpoint the exact cause of gum disease development in a specific patient. After gathering a saliva sample, the material will be analyzed in order to determine the types of bacteria present, their overall levels, and treatment recommendations that would be most successful. We can even monitor the bacteria levels further following certain services in order to gauge their overall potency! By taking this precise approach to gum disease treatment, we can help our patients enjoy not only happier smiles but healthier lives as well.
Scaling & Root Planing
When gum disease is detected early, scaling and root planing treatments are normally all that is needed to get the infection under control. Our team simply uses a small tool to remove any plaque and bacteria that have built up along the gum line (scaling), and then we slightly reshape the roots of the teeth (root planing). Why do this? It prevents plaque from accumulating around the gums in the future, cutting down on the risk of reinfection.
Antibiotic Therapy
Gum disease bacteria tend to gather and multiply in the extremely small spaces located between the gums and teeth, and these areas can be almost impossible to clean with regular instruments. Fortunately, we can apply a topical antibiotic to the gums that’s able to reach and kill even the most well-hidden bacteria. After it’s placed on the gums, the antibiotic will initially dry, and then it will slowly dissolve over the next few days, enabling a powerful antimicrobial agent to clean every tiny part of the gum line.
Laser Periodontal Treatment
Our soft tissue laser enables us to quickly eliminate harmful bacteria from the gum line and even remove infected tissue while causing little to no discomfort. The laser’s beam of light works very quickly and even cauterizes blood vessels and nerves as it goes, meaning patients experience almost no bleeding, swelling, or pain during or after a procedure. Most don’t even need local anesthetic to remain comfortable the entire time!