Periodontal Therapy – Parker, CO
We Can Treat Your Bleeding Gums
Periodontal (gum) disease is one of the most common oral health issues among US adults. Some studies indicate that as many as 80% of adults over 30 suffer from gingivitis, mild gum disease, or periodontitis, more advanced gum disease. We screen for this common oral health concern at every dental checkup and work with patients to prevent periodontal disease. If we’re unable to prevent this oral health condition, we can also partner with patients to fully renew oral health. Call our team to find out more about gum disease and potential options for periodontal therapy in Parker, CO.
What Is Gum Disease?
When you neglect to brush or floss diligently, dental plaque builds up on your teeth and along your gum line and can eventually harden into a substance called tartar. Bacteria in tartar are then more likely to irritate your gum tissue and cause an infection, known as periodontal disease. While this condition starts out with mild symptoms like bleeding gums, it can quickly progress into a serious health problem that affects the rest of your body, not just your mouth. Gum disease has been linked to issues like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, and premature birth in pregnant women.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Since gum disease can result in serious health complications, it’s imperative that you report to our dental office as soon as you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Gums that bleed when brushing and flossing
- Red, tender, swollen, or puffy gums
- Chronic bad breath that lingers even after performing your oral hygiene routine
- Teeth that feel loose or seem to be separating
- Pus forming between the teeth and gums
- Teeth that appear longer due to receding gums
- A sudden shift in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
Is Gum Disease Treatable?
If we catch periodontal disease in the early stages, we may be able to reverse its effects with more frequent professional cleanings. If gum disease progresses to the more severe stages, we may need to couple these three or four annual cleanings with advanced gum disease treatment, such as:
Scaling and Root Planing
Most commonly, we perform scaling and root planing procedures. Scaling is the systematic removal of plaque and tartar buildup from the surfaces of teeth. Root planing is the smoothing of tooth roots. This procedure reduces your risk for plaque and tartar buildup in the future.
Antibiotic Therapy
Unfortunately, we are sometimes unable to remove every spot of bacteria with scaling and root planing alone. While we’re performing these treatments, we can supplement them with a topical antibiotic therapy that is applied around the gumline to target the bacteria at the source. About three or four months later, we’ll check on the status of your gums to ensure the bacteria is gotten rid of, and reapply more if necessary.