Gum Disease Treatment – Longmont, CO
Gum Disease Treatment with Periodontal Therapy
Gum disease (also known as periodontal disease) is an infection that affects your gums and the bone underneath that supports your teeth. It’s actually one of the most common health problems on the planet, and nearly 80% of the population is suspected to be a victim of it. Many people aren’t even aware they have it because the early stages are so harmless, but this can quickly change – advanced gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in America, after all. With Dr. Dan Maurer’s support, patients can fight the good fight against periodontal disease and keep their smiles healthy with gum disease treatment here in Longmont, CO. Contact Longmont Complete Dentistry today to schedule appointments for the whole family.
Why Choose Longmont Complete Dentistry for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Focused on Early Diagnosis & Treatment
- Dental Sedation Available
- We Accept Dental Insurance
Signs of Gum Disease
Keep an eye out for the following symptoms:
- Your gums bleed when you brush or floss your teeth.
- Your gum tissue looks suspiciously red or swollen. It could also be tender to the touch.
- Bad breath is a common issue, even just after you’ve brushed/flossed/used mouthwash.
- Your teeth look longer, which is a sign that the gum tissue is receding.
- Certain teeth or your overall bite feels strangely different.
How Serious Is Gum Disease?
This bacterial infection hides within your gum tissue, destroying teeth and gums. When left untreated, it can even impact your overall health and wellness. It’s estimated that up to 70% of tooth loss is attributed to this common oral condition Recent studies show a significant link between people with gum disease and those who suffer from heart attacks, strokes, and complications with diabetes or pregnancy. Gum disease often starts out with little to no symptoms, which is why regular checkups with Dr. Dan are so crucial in diagnosing the condition in its early stages before it does irreversible damage.
Possible Causes of Gum Disease
Several factors can contribute to the development of periodontal disease, like plaque buildup, lifestyle choices, and genetics, to name a few. By far the most common and controllable factor is plaque accumulation, a sticky film of normal oral bacteria that forms in your mouth every day. It can be removed with regular brushing and flossing, but when you neglect your oral hygiene, plaque hardens into a substance called tartar, which can only be removed by a dental professional. Tartar contains lots of bacteria that can build up and attack your gums, causing inflammation and eventually periodontal disease, which is an advanced stage of gum disease.
Scaling and Root Planing
To treat gum disease, Dr. Dan will perform what is known as a “deep cleaning,” which consists of scaling and root planing. Scaling, the first part of the process, involves using special tools to remove any hardened plaque from above and below the gumline. Then, with root planing, we will smooth out the roots of the teeth to discourage bacteria from accumulating there and encourage the teeth to properly reattach to the gum tissue.
Steps to Take if You Believe You Have Gum Disease
Visiting our dental office is a good place to start for patients from Berthoud or Boulder, CO and surrounding areas. Attending regular checkups is the best way for you to stop the spread of gum disease in its tracks, and you can rest assured that Dr. Dan takes this threat extremely seriously. If we locate signs of an infection, scaling and root planing might be recommended. This in-depth cleaning will target the dangerous bacteria that like to gather under the gum line and on the surfaces of your tooth roots. By getting rid of them, we help our patients stay healthier and happier.