When you’re thinking about oral health, your teeth most likely draw most of your attention. But the gum tissue supporting your smile is just as important. Gum disease is one of the most common health problems in the world, and it can very easily lead to tooth loss if untreated. If you’re suffering from bleeding gums or have noticed suspiciously swollen-looking gum tissue, get in touch with Davis, Boeller & Rife Dental today to schedule an appointment for gum disease treatment in Englewood, FL.
A routine cleaning isn’t always enough to reverse gum disease. For more advanced cases, deep cleaning – also known as scaling and root planing – is required. Scaling involves removing bacteria and plaque from around and beneath the gum line. Once we’ve cleaned the area as much as possible, we can move on to root planing, which involves smoothing the rough surfaces of the tooth roots so that bacterial growth is less likely to occur in the future.
Sometimes infected gum tissue might need to be removed. Luckily, modern dental technology has made this process much simpler. Laser periodontal therapy is much more comfortable than a treatment that involves traditional metal tools. Furthermore, a dental laser will instantly sterilize and cauterize the treatment area as we go along. This reduces the risk of a new infection forming and helps promote healthy tissue regeneration during the recovery process (meaning your mouth will heal much faster).
Antibiotic therapy is typically recommended alongside a deep cleaning and laser therapy. Even after periodontal treatment, some bacteria might still be hiding in your mouth. We’ll place a special antibiotic called Arestin in your periodontal pockets. The medication will be released in small doses over time to help treat any remaining bacteria. Generally speaking, Arestin tends to yield highly improved results during recovery. You’ll return to our dental office after a set period of time so we can check how successful the treatment is.
