Gum Disease Treatment Phoenix
Get Your Gum Health Back on Track
Up to 80% of the population unknowingly has some form of gum disease. Characterized by a persistent bacterial infection surrounding one tooth or several teeth, gum disease causes little discomfort and produces few obvious symptoms in the early stages. When periodontal disease is not treated, it will spread and compromise gums, teeth and bone. It can also lead to heart disease, strokes, diabetes and pregnancy complications.
Who is at risk?
The following conditions greatly exacerbate the risk of gum disease: smoking, tobacco use, hormone fluctuations, stress, some medications, bruxism, diabetes, poor nutrition, and HIV. Patients who suffer from diseases resulting in immunosuppression, heredity, and poor oral hygiene are also at risk. Even patients who practice good oral homecare routines can get gum disease. Gums irritated by bacteria can recede from the teeth, creating deep pockets where more bacteria can hide and flourish.
Treating Gum Disease
Early on when redness, swelling, and bleeding are the only symptoms, we can treat and reverse gum disease without surgery. Regular checkups greatly increase your potential for early detection and conservative treatment. Generally, treatment will include careful, individualized instructions regarding the most effective means of brushing and flossing at home. This strategy is sometimes accompanied by professional scaling or careful scraping of all affected tooth surfaces and gum pocket irrigation. Usually, patients will experience immediate improvement. If symptoms don't improve significantly, you may require surgical treatment.
Surgical Treatments
If gum disease progresses without intervention, a patient may need surgery to remediate the disease and restore the mouth to good oral health. Typically, periodontists may perform four surgical treatments: pocket depth reduction, bone or tissue regeneration, crown lengthening and/or soft tissue grafts. All of these procedures may improve your chances of keeping your teeth for life.
If you have further questions about gum disease and current treatments, please contact our office for a consultation.
Scaling & Root Planing
In cases of advanced gum disease, scaling and planing may be the best way to eliminate infectious material and restore the structure of the soft tissues. This multi-step process is designed to give compromised gums the deep cleaning they need to reintegrate with the teeth and avoid future infections. Here’s a quick guide to how scaling and root planing works from the friendly team at Smile Fitness Dental Centers.
Do You Need Scaling & Root Planing?
Gum disease starts as inflammation called gingivitis, and it can usually be reversed at that stage with improved oral hygiene habits. However, untreated gingivitis will eventually develop into periodontitis, a destructive oral infection that must be addressed with professional dental treatments like scaling and root planing. Symptoms of periodontitis include:
- Bleeding while brushing or flossing
- Gum recession
- Persistent bad breath
- Visible plaque accumulations
- Swollen or puffy gums
- Jawbone erosion
- Loose teeth
If you have these symptoms, contact our staff to schedule a checkup.
The Process of Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a two-step process that usually requires two appointments. The treatment usually goes as follows:
- During the first appointment, our dentist will use a device called a scaler to remove plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the teeth as well as the pockets of the gums.
- During the second, our dentist will remove hardened bacterial buildup from the roots of the teeth. This will help prevent future infections and encourage the gum tissue to reintegrate with the dental structure.
Aftercare Tips for Scaling & Root Planing
The scaling and root planing process can be rather intensive, so you will probably need several weeks for your teeth and gums to recover afterward. During this period, you can expect increased sensitivity and discomfort while your oral structures are healing. The team at Smile Fitness Dental Centers will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions to help you keep your recovery process smooth and complication-free. These will probably include:
- Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water after eating to loosen food debris and reduce inflammation. To make a suitable salt-water solution, combine ¼ teaspoon salt with eight ounces of water.
- Being gentle when brushing and flossing. Use only soft-bristled toothbrushes to prevent irritation and bleeding, and it’s best to only use circular motions instead of brushing back and forth. It’s also important to take care not to press too deep into the gum tissue when flossing.
- Avoiding foods and beverages that are hot, spicy, acidic, alcoholic, or sweet while eating.
- Refraining from tobacco use.
- Sticking to a soft diet for at least the first forty-eight hours after treatment.
- Avoiding intense exercise for a few days after the treatment.
Gum Disease Treatment FAQs
Can Gum Disease Be Prevented?
Thankfully, many common oral health problems can be prevented, including gum disease. The key is incorporating healthy habits into your routine, including brushing for two full minutes each morning and evening, flossing every night, and rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash for 30-60 seconds each time. It’s also crucial that you come to our dental office in Phoenix every six months so we can remove built-up plaque, clean the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth, and share how you can continue to improve your at-home oral hygiene regimen.
How Do I Know If I Have Gum Disease?
Since roughly 50% of American adults have gum disease, it’s important to keep an eye out for warning signs. That starts with the obvious ones, like red, tender, and inflamed gums. However, persistent bad breath, pain when biting down, and changes to your bite can also be due to an active infection. For that reason, we recommend reaching out to us if you notice anything unusual. That way, we can detect and treat any oral health problems that do arise in the early stages.
Is Gum Disease Considered a Dental Emergency?
Although gum disease isn’t in the same category as a knocked-out tooth, you should call our office right away. Once we know more about your symptoms, we can determine the urgency of the situation and schedule an appointment at our office. We will also share what to do to help protect your smile in the meantime, like limiting your intake of sugary treats.
How Can I Make Gum Disease Treatment More Affordable?
If you’re worried about the cost of gum disease treatment in Phoenix, don’t worry – our team at Smile Fitness Dental Centers welcomes several financial solutions. The first is CareCredit, which is a trusted third-party financier that offers convenient payment plans (often with little-to-no interest attached). We also accept most PPO insurance plans from popular providers like BlueCross/BlueShield, Cigna, Delta Dental, and Guardian.
Can Gum Disease Come Back After It Has Been Treated?
Yes, gum disease can come back, even after successful treatment. That’s why it’s of the utmost importance that you prioritize your periodontal maintenance appointments. Additionally, commit to a solid oral hygiene regimen at home, eat mostly nutrient-dense, well-balanced meals, and keep an eye out for warning signs of infection, like bleeding when you floss.
What Happens If I Don’t Get Gum Disease Treatment?
Some patients are tempted to take the “wait and see” approach, especially if they aren’t in pain or they struggle with dental-related anxiety. While the consequences of gum disease are relatively mild at first, they can quickly progress. In fact, with enough time, it can lead to significant tooth loss. So, it’s important that you get the care you need right away.