Gum disease treatment and prevention

Gum Disease Treatment and Prevention

 Periodontal disease (more commonly referred to as “gum disease”) is a bacterial infection that causes bone and tooth loss, when initial gingivitis goes untreated and spreads into adjacent structures. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Bleeding gums
• Swelling
• Gum recession
• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Loose teeth

 Scaling and Root Planing

An effective non-surgical treatment for gum disease is a “deep cleaning” or periodontal scaling and root planing. During this visit, we loosen and remove calcified tartar deposits deep below the gum tissues.

 Periodontal Maintenance

After soft tissue therapy, we will need to see you every 3-months to clean areas affected by gum disease to prevent relapse and additional bone loss.

Prophylactic Appointments

Routine preventative dental cleanings are one of the most important steps to reduce your risk of periodontal disease. Even with good oral hygiene at home, there are areas that plaque and tartar tend to accumulate. We recommend that healthy patients free of gum disease book a prophylactic cleaning at least every two months.

 Arestin Treatments

In cases where gum infections are severe, Dr. Renan Buitrago may choose to place small antibiotic capsules just within the pocket under the gumline to expedite the healing process. When Arestin is applied, it’s best to not floss the area for at least two weeks, as the micro-beads are slowly released into the surrounding soft tissues.

Gum disease isn’t just a risk to your smile — it can contribute to severe medical conditions like diabetes, pneumonia, stroke, heart attack, and infertility. Schedule a gum health evaluation at Advanced Dentistry of Coral Springs to find out how we can help.