Many people have heard of gum disease but might not be familiar with the symptoms or know that they even have it. This common oral health issue can lead to a number of serious problems—not just for your teeth and gums, but also for your overall health and well-being. At Paxton Dental Care, Dr. Scott Siemen offers a variety of therapies to Paxton, MA area patients to restore health to their gums, including non-surgical periodontics.
Symptoms of gum disease
The signs and symptoms of gum disease can range from mild to severe, and include:
- Swollen, red, or painful gums
- Bleeding when you brush and floss your teeth
- Bad breath
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Gum recession
- Loose teeth
- Tooth loss
Non-surgical gum disease treatments
One of the first lines of defense against gum disease is a deep cleaning procedure called scaling and root planing. This treatment is designed to remove the bacteria and tartar that exist below the gum line, which are typically the main contributors to gum disease. During scaling and root planing, we first use a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area for your comfort. Then, we use specialized tools to remove the buildup beneath the gum line and then smooth the tooth root to help your gums heal and successfully re-adhere in areas where they have separated due to pocket formation. This therapy can be highly successful when combined with a rigorous home brushing and flossing plan to restore health to your teeth and gums.
Medications can also be an important component to a gum disease regimen for some patients. Oral antibiotics or local topical medications can fight the bacteria that cause gum disease and get the infection under control, helping increase the effectiveness of other therapies.
Schedule your comprehensive exam today
Gum disease may cause a variety of symptoms as described above, but sometimes, a mouth examination by your dentist is the only way that people know that they have the beginnings of periodontitis. At Paxton Dental Care, we perform routine oral health examinations at your regular cleaning and check-up visits, and if Dr. Siemen notices and signs of gingivitis or periodontal disease, he will discuss the best treatment options for your individual oral health needs and treatment preferences.
To schedule your appointment at Paxton Dental Care, call our Paxton, MA office today at (508) 557-2400.