Gum Disease Treatment
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Gum Disease Treatment
Gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss among adults, and nearly half of all adults have some form of this condition. While anyone can develop periodontal disease, the risk of developing the problem increases with age and among people with poor oral hygiene. At Dental Arts of the Oaks in Thousand Oaks, CA, Dr. Alex Bierman and his team have seen it all – if you are suffering from painful gums, tooth loss, decay, and broken-down teeth don’t hide. Get the help you need right away and get your smile back on track with targeted gum disease treatment.
Signs of Gum Disease
Early gum disease – gingivitis – is not always easy to spot. Your dentist, however, will notice right away that something is amiss, but you must keep your regular dental visits every six months to give him the chance to review your oral health. If you avoid the dentist or skip your appointments because of dental anxiety, a busy schedule, or lack of dental insurance, you increase your risk of developing gum disease.
Gum disease is a build-up of plaque and bacteria on the teeth that causes a gum infection and symptoms like:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Irritation
- Bleeding
- Sensitivity
- Gum recession
- Bad breath
- Loose teeth
- Tooth loss
Once gum disease has begun, it cannot be stopped without your dentist’s intervention. The problem will never clear up on its own, it will simply progress to the next stage and then the next, eventually destroying the bone that supports your teeth, damaging soft tissue, causing teeth and gums to separate, and leading to tooth loss.
What to Expect from Gum Disease Treatment
Gum disease treatment will vary depending on the severity of your infection. The most common method for attacking this problem is with periodontal therapy, which includes deep cleaning, soft tissue management, and the removal of the bacteria and decay caught in the pockets between the teeth and gums.
- Deep cleaning: Build-up of plaque, bacteria, and tartar around the edge of the gumline is removed from the teeth so the healing process can begin.
- Scaling and root planing: If plaque is trapped between gums and teeth, special tools are used to scrape away tartar from below the gum line, and the bumpy, irregular areas on the enamel that plaque is attracted to are smoothed out.
- Antibiotics: Depending on the severity of your infection, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to enhance in-office treatment and promote healing.
- Additional treatment: Other efforts can be implemented to minimize the formation of plaque, reduce inflammation, and staunch bleeding gums, including antimicrobial rinse, mouthwash, and topical treatments. In the most severe cases, pocket reduction surgery may be necessary, as well as gum grafts.
Your dentist’s goal is to eliminate the infection, prevent it from spreading, and get your gums back to good health. It is essential that you follow your dentist’s instructions for taking care of your teeth and attend every dental appointment for follow-up treatment. Good professional and at-home care are both necessary to keep your gums healthy and disease free.
Cost Factors of Gum Disease Treatment
There is a base price for gum disease treatment, but your individual cost factors will vary depending on:
- The severity of your case
- How many periodontal treatments are needed
- Whether advanced periodontal care is required
- The number of appointments
- Whether dental restorations are needed to replace missing or damaged teeth
Get Gum Disease Treatment from Thousand Oaks Dentist Near Me
Many things can influence your likelihood of developing gum disease, including oral health care, genetics, medication use, age, tobacco use, and hormones. Ultimately, though, this disease is not inevitable. If you keep up with your dental visits every six months, your dentist will always recognize early symptoms and address them immediately. If you suspect you might need gum disease treatment, contact Dental Arts of the Oaks in Thousand Oaks, CA to make an appointment. Our team is ready to help you achieve good oral health once again.