Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a serious oral condition that needs to be attended to. Not only can it put you at risk for tooth and bone loss, but medical research has also found increasing evidence that many other medical conditions can be linked to, or further complicated by periodontal disease.
The best way to deal with periodontitis is not to get it at all. For those with gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, revisiting their home care technique with one of our hygienists can help get their oral hygiene routine back on track, and reverse the disease before it progresses.
For those who have been diagnosed with a more serious case of gum disease, Mount Vernon Dental has treatments available. These include non-surgical and surgical options, depending on the severity of your periodontal disease. In all cases, the goal of treatment is to prevent bone loss and further damage, by removing bacteria and tartar from below the gum line and helping your gums heal.
In cases where periodontal disease hasn’t advanced too far, a non-surgical procedure known as scaling and root planing is typically recommended. This involves clearing away plaque and tartar from tooth root surfaces and smoothing them to make it harder for buildup to occur again.
Some surgical treatments for more advanced cases of periodontitis include gum recession treatments, bone grafting, and gum grafting.
Once treated for gum disease, it’s recommended that you return to our office regularly for periodontal maintenance appointments which will help control your periodontal disease and prevent the problem from reoccurring.
If you have noticed that your gums are red or swollen, or if there is bleeding when you brush or floss, you may have gum disease. Contact our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sprang or Dr. Stoycheff to assess the condition of your gums and learn what treatment options can help.