Enjoy Optimal Periodontal Health with Gum Disease Treatment
Bleeding, tender, or swollen gums may not mean much to you, but the culprit can be periodontal disease—a serious and common oral condition affecting about 50% of adults over 30. Gum disease affects your gums, bones, and ligaments, and its damage includes gum recession, tooth loss, and more.
Your gums are the foundation of your oral health. So, if you suspect gum disease in Albuquerque, New Mexico, schedule an appointment with Kelley Family Dental. Drs. Jonathan and Gretchen Kelley offer effective periodontal diagnostic and treatment to maintain healthy gums.
How does gum disease develop?
Dental plaque is a mixture of saliva, harmful bacteria, and food debris that builds up in the mouth over time. If not removed by brushing and flossing, the bacteria within it inflame the gums, causing gingivitis (the earliest stage of gum disease). Gingivitis is characterized by tender, swollen, and red gums.
Gingivitis must be addressed immediately. If not, it advances into periodontitis, which causes deep periodontal pockets as gums pull away from your teeth. Over time, advanced gum disease attacks the periodontal bone, causing tooth loss. Worse yet, gum disease creates an inflammation overload in the body, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and other systemic issues.
How do we treat gum disease?
Gingivitis is reversible with professional cleanings followed by a good oral hygiene routine. However, if gum disease doesn’t respond to conventional treatments, the dentist may recommend deep teeth cleaning, which involves:
- Scaling: The dentist uses an ultrasonic scaler device or hand instruments to remove plaque, tartar, and bacterial toxins from the deep periodontal pockets.
- Root planing: We smooth the root surfaces to eliminate rough spots that encourage plaque buildup. Root planing also provides a healthier, cleaner surface for gums to reattach to your teeth.
Deep teeth cleaning is a non-surgical approach to gum disease treatment. However, since it’s more extensive than standard cleanings, the dentist uses local anesthesia for a painless experience. More than one treatment may also be necessary, depending on the severity of your infection.
Do I need surgery?
Many patients respond favorably to deep teeth cleaning. However, if the periodontal pockets are too deep, the dental instruments can’t clean your teeth effectively. In such cases, you need gum flap surgery to give the dentist better access to the tooth roots and underlying bone.
Sometimes, when your bone and gum tissues are irreversibly destroyed, you need grafting techniques to replenish lost tissue. Even when you need periodontal surgery, we’ll point you in the right direction until you achieve healthy gums.
Can I prevent gum disease?
Our office emphasizes gum disease prevention because it’s the most cost-effective way to maintain optimal periodontal health.
Here are ways to keep your gums healthy.
- Use fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth twice every day
- Floss your teeth daily, especially before bedtime
- Maintain a healthy, dental-friendly diet
- Quit tobacco use
- Attend regular dental exams and cleanings every six months or sooner
- Manage immune-suppressing conditions like diabetes and stress
Do you need gum disease treatment?
Periodontal disease is a hidden danger—not just to your oral health but to your overall well-being. Protect your smile and overall health with periodontal care in Albuquerque, NM. Call 505-207-3343 and schedule your consultation with Kelley Family Dental Center. Take the first step toward healthier gums and lasting oral wellness!
