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Periodontal disease (gum disease), is an infection in both the gum tissue and bone that keeps your teeth in place and is one of the leading causes of adult tooth loss. During your dental exam we will perform a full periodontal probing to measure the level of attachment between the gum tissue and teeth and take dental x-rays, which will show any bone loss in the jawbone
If you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease you will require scaling and root planning also known as “deep cleaning” to get rid of the bacteria that has built up under the gum line as well as under broken down gum tissue. In order to effectively treat the infection we use a combination therapy of scaling and root planning, and Arestin, a site-specific antibiotic treatment. This combination has proven to provide a greater reduction in harmful bacteria as well as faster healing time and decreased pocket depths. This therapy can be done in one or two visits and requires anesthetics.
After a “deep cleaning” it is important to initially be seen three to four times per years to help avoid future infection. And, as always brushing twice a day and flossing daily are key factors in gum disease prevention
Gum Disease Symptoms: If you have periodontal disease you may experiencing persistent bad breath, bleeding gums when brushing or flossing, soft, swollen, or tender gums, gums pulling away from teeth or tooth mobility. You may notice inflammation of the gums between the teeth as well. If treatment is not received a more serious and advanced stage of gum disease may follow, including tooth loss.
