Gum Disease Treatment – Derby, KS
Improving Gum Health Safely and Effectively
Oftentimes, teeth steal the spotlight when it comes to oral health. Make no mistake, your gums are equally as important! In fact, if they develop an infection, several issues can arise, including tooth loss. The good news is that Dr. Clark can help patients take control of their gum health with scaling and root planing and antibiotic therapy. If you are interested in learning more about gum disease treatment in Derby, get in touch with a friendly member of our team or read on!
Why Choose Illuminate Family Dentistry for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Hygienist Turned Dentist With Years of Experience
- Antibiotic Therapy Available to Prevent Reinfection
- Careful and Gentle Care to Ensure Comfort
What is Gum Disease?
Millions of people throughout the world suffer from gum disease. But what exactly is it? In short, it’s an infection in the gums. In the early stages, it’s referred to as “gingivitis,” which can be treated. However, if it’s left alone to progress, it can develop into the advanced stages, which can only be managed. That’s why it’s so important that you come to our office every six months for an exam (or sooner, if you start to notice anything unusual).
Symptoms of Gum Disease
In the early stages, patients often experience the following:
- Red, inflamed, and tender gums
- Bleeding when flossing
- Chronic bad breath
- Gum recession
Without the necessary treatment, however, the bacterial infection can destroy bone, causing teeth to feel loose or even fall out.
How Do We Treat Gum Disease?
Dr. Clark’s goal is always to treat the problem in the early stages to avoid worsening oral and overall health. During your consultation, she will assess the severity of the infection and discuss the different types of gum disease treatments that we offer at our Derby dental office. Until then, you can read on to learn a little more about them.
Scaling & Root Planing
When plaque and bacteria accumulate around the gum line, it can lead to inflammation and an eventual breakdown of the bone and teeth. But with scaling and root planing, we can eliminate the buildup (scaling) before smoothing and shaping the tooth roots to encourage healing while reducing the risk of reinfection (planing) and further bone loss.
Antibiotic Treatment
Once we have thoroughly cleaned your gums and eliminated plaque and tartar buildup, we will move on to antibiotic therapy. This topical or mouth rinse treatment not only reduces the overall size of your gum pockets, which can easily trap bacteria and food particles, but it also kills existing bacteria. Depending on your specific situation, we may also place an antibiotic directly around specific areas of your mouth. As a result, you’ll enjoy healthier gums and a more aesthetically pleasing smile.