Gum Disease Treatment – Oak Cliff, TX
Protecting More Than Just Your Teeth
While your teeth are certainly crucial to your oral health, your gums matter just as much. They could give your smile a nasty infection if they don’t get the proper care. Fortunately, you can count on Kessler Park Dental for gum disease treatment in Oak Cliff! This service from Dr. Martinez will manage and control your infected gums, ensuring they heal and recover. Learn more about it by reading below or (better yet) book a consultation today.
Why Choose Kessler Park Dental for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Gum Screenings Included with Every Checkup
- Arestin® Antibiotic Treatment Available
- In-Network with Most Insurance Plans
What is Gum Disease?
In essence, gum disease is an infection of your gums – the pink tissues surrounding your teeth. It often results from plaque buildup due to poor eating, bad oral hygiene, etc. With that said, other factors – genetics, hormones, and more – can also cause the condition.
Gum disease’s two main stages are gingivitis and periodontitis. The first refers to a slight gum inflammation, which is irritating but ultimately minor. In contrast, stage two – periodontitis – is a full-blown infection that attacks gum and jaw tissues. This latter phase is irreversible (unlike gingivitis) and can only be managed at best.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Due to its multiple stages, gum disease can cause many symptoms. Which signs you show will depend on your condition’s severity, progress rate, and so on.
Take gingivitis, for example. This early form of gum disease is known for signs like:
- Swollen gums
- Red, bleeding gums
- Gum tenderness
- Gum recession
- Chronic bad breath
Periodontitis tends to show more severe symptoms, including the following:
- A shift in your bite
- Chewing pain
- Loose permanent teeth
- Tooth sensitivity (often due to gum recession)
- Permanent tooth loss
- Changes in your restoration’s fit
How Do We Treat Gum Disease?
Dr. Martinez will conduct a close oral exam at your consultation visit. By checking your mouth and seeing your gum disease, he'll confirm crucial details about your case. He'll then use those findings to suggest one (or more) of the following treatment options:
Scaling & Root Planing
Our “go-to” treatment for gum disease is scaling and root planning, a “deep cleaning” of the areas around your gums. The initial scaling uses an ultrasonic cleaner to remove plaque above and below your gumline. Once this removal work is done, root planning will smooth out your tooth roots and make plaque less likely to gather on them. The whole two-step treatment can take one to four dental visits, depending on your infection’s severity.
Antibiotic Treatment
After scaling and root planing, Dr. Martinez may apply a topical antibiotic called Arestin on your gums. This medicine would further fight the infection in and around your gum tissues. Once placed, it’d quickly harden, dissolve over a few days, and kill even the most deeply hidden bacteria. You’d then have much healthier and stronger gums after about two weeks or so.
Our antibiotic treatment is often followed by regular dental cleanings. By attending these sessions more often, you’d ensure your smile stays healthy and problem-free.
