Gum Disease Treatment – Lakewood, Dallas, TX
Protecting the Foundation of Your Smile
At Dental Center of Lakewood, we’re able to not just take care of your teeth, but your smile’s unsung hero as well—your gums! They provide important support and protection for your pearly whites, and without proper care at home, they can actually develop an infection that can lead to bleeding, swelling, and ultimately tooth loss. If you’re noticing that your gums feel more sensitive lately, or if you see pink in the sink whenever you brush or floss, contact us today for gum disease treatment in Lakewood, Dallas, TX. We can provide the care you need to stop these issues and avoid much more serious ones in the future.
Why Choose Dental Center of Lakewood for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Team Led by Two Dentists with Decades of Experience
- Every Patients Receives One-on-One, Undivided Attention
- A More Comfortable and Calmer Experience with Sedation
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is one of the most common oral health issues across the world, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that it impacts over half of adults in the nation. This infection targets the soft oral tissues, or the gums, causing the supportive bone and tissue that holds your teeth in place to gradually deteriorate with time, leading to severe oral health conditions like tooth loss when left untreated. Our team’s goal is to spot the early signs of gum disease and treat the condition, preserving your smile’s health and wholeness.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
There are several different symptoms associated with gum disease, depending on what stage the infection has reached. Gingivitis is the first stage of the disease and can display the following symptoms:
- Bleeding gums while brushing and flossing.
- Red, inflamed gum tissue.
- Swollen gums that look puffy.
- Tender gums that can be sensitive when eating hard foods.
- Bad breath, also referred to as halitosis.
When the infection has the opportunity to advance, it will progress into late-stage gum disease, called periodontitis. Patients with periodontitis may notice the following symptoms:
- Gum recession that causes the gums to pull away from the teeth, making them appear longer.
- Gaps form between the teeth, or small black triangles between the teeth appear.
- Chewing becomes painful or uncomfortable.
- Teeth have shifted or become loose.
- Pockets of pus have formed between the gums and teeth.
How Do We Treat Gum Disease?
At every routine checkup, Dr. Spillman and Dr. Green conduct a thorough screening for gum disease. If any signs of the condition are spotted, our dentists in Lakewood, Dallas may recommend any of the following procedures.
Scaling & Root Planing
Gum disease is primarily caused by a buildup of plaque and tartar below the gum line, and to remove it, our team can perform a deep cleaning procedure called scaling and root planing. First, the harmful substances are removed, and then the roots of the teeth are slightly reshaped and smoothed out. This prevents bacteria from accumulating under the gums in the future, plus it allows them to heal more quickly.
Antibiotic Treatment
In addition to scaling and root planing, our team may also recommend antibiotic treatment. This involves taking one pill a day for a time period determined by your dentist at Dental Center of Lakewood to help combat harmful oral bacteria. It’s important to finish the prescription as instructed to prevent antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Laser Periodontal Treatment
A soft tissue laser can be utilized during a deep cleaning to effortlessly and precisely remove severely diseased and damaged tissues, only leaving the healthy supportive tissue behind. This will improve the chances of the healthy gum tissue reattaching to the teeth to protect the vulnerable roots of the tooth. Because our team utilizes the soft tissue laser, no scalpel or sutures will be necessary, and you can enjoy a faster, more comfortable healing period.