Gum Disease Treatment Tallahassee
Effectively Treating the #1 Cause of Tooth Loss
Would it surprise you to find out that the cause of bleeding gums is actually attributed to what is known as periodontal disease? Also referred to as gum disease, it is the most common disease in the United States with nearly half of the entire U.S. adult population having some form of it. It starts very subtly with just a little bit of swelling and redness, but it can eventually develop into painful, bacteria-filled pockets along the gum line. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss for adults 35 and over. Dr. Ransey Boyd and Dr. Kirstin Walther take gum disease very seriously, which is why they will always examine your gums at your routine dental checkups. If you have developed it, they have a variety of options for gum disease treatment in Tallahassee to help you manage your gum disease.
Why Choose Boyd & Walther Tallahassee Dental Associates for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Gum Disease Maintenance & Thorough Deep Cleanings
- We Accept & Maximize Dental Insurance Benefits
- Family-Friendly Dentistry for Patients of All Ages
What Is Gum Disease?
Most people know that if you don’t brush your teeth, plaque and bacteria build upon them, and this can eventually lead to a cavity. The same principle is true with your gums. Built-up plaque, tartar, and bacteria can irritate sensitive gum tissue and lead to an infection. This can cause the tissue to recede and break down, which takes away its ability to support your teeth and protect the thinner enamel around the roots. This is why tooth loss is so common for people suffering from advanced gum disease.
In its early stages, more diligent oral hygiene at home and dental cleanings can usually manage the problem. However, once the infection has become too advanced, more sophisticated treatments may be needed.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
It may not always be to determine if you have gum disease but if you know what to look for, you can feel better prepared should you notice any of the following symptoms developing:
- Red, inflamed gums
- Sensitivity or bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
- Bad breath
- Small pockets of pus that form between your teeth and gums
- Pain that occurs when chewing or attempting to clean your teeth
- Loose teeth
- Misaligned bite
- Bad taste in your mouth
Types of Gum Disease Treatment
Identifying any of these signs and seeking our help is the first step you should take. When visiting our dental office, you can entrust that we will provide treatment for bleeding gums as early as possible to avoid more serious and complex care. But no matter how advanced your gum disease might be, we offer both scaling and root planing as well as antibiotic therapy to help restore the health of your soft oral tissues.
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a two-step process used during the beginning stages of gum disease to prevent the infection from spreading. First, your dentist will remove the plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline, restoring the health of your periodontal tissues and reducing inflammation and tenderness. Next, they’ll smooth the roots of the teeth so the gums can healthily reattach to them and continue properly protecting them.
Do I Need Scaling & Root Planing?
If your dentist notices any signs of gum disease such as bleeding while brushing and flossing, receding gums, chronic halitosis (bad breath), excessive plaque buildup, and swollen, puffy gums, you may be suffering from gum disease.
The good news is that in many cases, early stages of gum disease can be reversed by improving your oral hygiene routine with regular brushing and flossing. However, if the condition has progressed, scaling and root planing could be necessary to stop it from getting worse.
If you are nervous or anxious about treatment, we also offer sedation dentistry options to help keep you feeling calm an comfortable at all stages of the procedure.
The Process of Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing typically takes place over the course of two appointments:
- During your first visit, your dental team will use a device called a scaler to remove all the plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth, reaching as far down as pockets of your gums will allow.
- At your second appointment, your dentist will remove the hardened deposits of bacteria at the roots of your teeth that are hidden below your gumline. This will help prevent further infection by stopping bacteria from re-colonizing in your gums.
Aftercare Tips for Scaling & Root Planing
Because scaling and root planing can be an intensive treatment, it is recommended that you allow a few weeks between steps for your teeth and gums to recover. Please be aware that you may experience some increased sensitivity and discomfort as a natural part of the healing process. Here are some general aftercare tips to make your recovery more comfortable:
- Rinse your gums with warm saltwater after each meal to prevent irritation and help loosen food debris. This will make brushing and flossing easier. The saltwater solution can be made by mixing ¼ teaspoon of salt for every eight ounces of water.
- Brush teeth gently with a soft bristled toothbrush. Use small, gentle, circular motions to help avoid worsening discomfort.
- Because your teeth and gums can be sensitive to certain foods and beverages following scaling and root planing, avoid eating anything hot or spicy, as well as acidic or alcoholic beverages, which can cause irritation and inflammation.
- Never smoke or chew tobacco.
- Eat a soft diet for the first 48 hours after treatment.
- Avoid intensive physical activity immediately after your procedure to avoid prolonging the healing process.
Antibiotic Therapy
After your treatment, your doctor may apply antibiotics to the area to prevent an infection from developing. For this, they will use something called Arestin. It is made of thousands of tiny microspheres that can be applied directly to your gums. These spheres will slowly dissolve so the medicine is released gradually.