Gum Disease Therapy
Gum Disease Therapy in St. Marys, GA
Our mouths provide a hospitable environment for bacteria; however, sometimes these bacteria cause issues. For one, bacteria produce plaque, a sticky deposit that adheres to teeth. If plaque isn’t removed tartar forms, which normal brushing can’t combat. While we often concern ourselves with the health of our teeth, the importance of the gums is often ignored. Periodontal (gum) disease, or periodontitis, is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gum tissue. If you’re experiencing gum swelling, pain, or bleeding, you must turn to our team here at Midtown Family Dentistry in St. Marys, GA for treatment.
How is Gum Disease Treated?
If you are dealing with mild to moderate forms of gum disease a simple deep cleaning is usually all that’s needed. Another name for this professional deep cleaning is scaling and root planing. This procedure is performed to prevent the disease from spreading further into the gums, causing serious and permanent damage and eventual tooth loss.
This cleaning is a bit different from the routine cleanings you’re used to when you come in every six months for checkups. This deep cleaning goes under the gums, where we remove tartar and plaque buildup. We even smooth the roots of the tooth to prevent plaque from building up in these areas.
Since we need to go under the gums to remove plaque and tartar buildup, we will also numb the gums before the procedure. This ensures that you feel comfortable and at ease throughout the procedure while we can also get into all the nooks and crannies needed to clean your gums and manage your disease. During your consultation, our dental team will decide whether we will perform the procedure in a single session or whether we will treat certain areas in separate sessions.
How Effective are Scaling and Root Planing?
This procedure is incredibly effective at improving the health and shape of the gums, preventing the disease from progressing, and shrinking pockets of infection between the gums and the teeth. By getting this procedure when you need it most you can prevent more serious gum disease complications such as tooth loss. You must continue to visit our dental team every six months for routine checkups to make sure that your gums remain healthy.