Achieve Optimal Periodontal Health with Gum Disease Treatment
Do your gums bleed or hurt when brushing or flossing? Do your gums look red or swollen? These are classic symptoms of gum disease, and you need to do something about it. If left untreated, gum or periodontal disease can destroy the structures that support the teeth, leading to tooth loss. Thankfully, gum disease is treatable and even reversible when detected early. Westwood Dentistry offers gum disease treatment in Westwood, Massachusetts, and the nearby locations to ensure you achieve optimal periodontal health. Don’t give gum disease a chance to ruin your smile. Schedule an appointment today with Drs Monica Anand and Anshuman Rawat for periodontal therapy.
How does gum disease develop?
Gum disease can develop in individuals who fail to maintain diligent oral hygiene practices, such as regular brushing and flossing. Poor oral hygiene causes plaque buildup as saliva interacts with unwanted bacteria and food debris. The bacteria in plaque produce toxins that irritate the gum tissues, causing gingivitis—the earliest stage of periodontal disease.
Gum disease is a progressive oral condition. If left untreated, the infection spreads and damages periodontal ligaments, forming deep pockets between teeth and gums. Gum disease doesn’t stop here. Without treatment, it damages the teeth-supporting gums and bone, causing tooth loss.
Moreover, uncontrolled gum disease can lead to systemic inflammation, increasing the risk of conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy complications, and other systemic issues. Indeed, gum disease isn’t a laughing matter. Get it treated today before it causes irreversible damage.
How do we treat gum disease?
The first step is to carry out a comprehensive diagnosis. In addition to a visual exam, we’ll use a periodontal probe to measure the depth between your teeth and gums (sulcus). A healthy sulcus is no deeper than 3mm. If your periodontal readings are above 3mm, it indicates the presence of gum disease, and the higher the readings, the more severe your infection is.
Our team adopts a conservative approach to treating gum disease. Gingivitis is treatable with regular dental cleanings and optimal oral hygiene. However, scaling and root planing (sometimes called deep teeth cleaning) will be recommended to treat advanced gum disease. This non-surgical treatment involves the following steps.
- Scaling: The dentist uses special tools to remove bacterial toxins and calcified deposits from your teeth and beneath the gum line.
- Root planing: The dentist will polish the root surface to remove rough spots that attract unwanted bacteria. Root planing also leaves a healthy, infection-free surface to encourage gum tissues to reattach to your teeth.
- Salivary Testing: This is integral to all periodontal therapies performed at our office. Before treatment, a saliva sample is collected and sent to a lab, where it’s analyzed to identify the specific microorganisms present in your mouth. A post-treatment saliva test verifies if the treatment and home care are working. The presence and levels of certain microorganisms also determine additional treatment modalities needed for a healthier oral environment.
- Laser Therapy: Dental Lasers have become increasingly vital in gum treatments. We use the Fotona® Laser to treat hard and soft tissues through the TwinLight® Periodontal Treatment (TPT).
- Oral Probiotics are the microorganisms needed for healthy gums and fresh breath. We strongly recommend the use of these supplements for overall gum health.
Deep teeth cleaning requires at least two appointments, but severe infection may require more visits. We also use local anesthetics to ensure ultimate comfort during treatment. If you are anxious about the procedure, you can talk to our team about sedation dentistry. Our goal is to ensure your comfort throughout the treatment.
How can I prevent gum disease?
Prevention is the most effective way of maintaining healthy gums. Follow these tips to promote optimal gum health.
- Floss your teeth at least once daily
- Brush your teeth twice daily
- Consider a dye-free and caustic chemical-free oral rinse
- Schedule an appointment with your dentist bi-annually for routine check-ups and cleanings
- Quit smoking
- Stick to a dental-friendly diet
- Manage diabetes, depression, and other immune-suppressing diseases
- Make healthy lifestyle changes to minimize the need for prescription medications
Do you need periodontal therapy?
Gum disease isn’t something you want to hear from your dentist, but it’s treatable, even for complicated cases. For comprehensive periodontal care in Westwood, MA, call (781) 514-6443 to schedule an appointment with us. Your healthy, infection-free gums await!
