Gum Disease Treatment – Sunnyvale, TX

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an accumulation of bacteria in the mouth that flourishes along the gums. It comes in two stages—gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the milder version of the condition, and its symptoms are mostly confined to bad breath and bleeding gums.

However, this can easily turn into periodontitis, which is more severe. Bone loss and tooth loss become possible. These problems are irreversible if they begin, which means that it’s crucially important that you catch and treat gum disease before it progresses to this point.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

To understand the distinction between these two conditions, it may be helpful to explain in a bit more detail what symptoms each of them entail.

In the case of gingivitis:

• Gums that bleed during brushing or flossing
• Gums appearing dark red in color
• Swelling or redness of the gums
• Persistent bad breath, known as halitosis
• Gums that are tender to touch
• Receding gums, where the gum tissue pulls back, revealing more of the teeth structure

And for periodontitis:

• Discomfort or pain during chewing
• Sensitivity in teeth due to gum recession
• Alteration in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• Changes in the fit of dental restorations, such as partial dentures
• Loosening of permanent teeth
• Loss of teeth

How Do We Treat Gum Disease?

Gum disease is a complex condition with a variety of treatment options connected to it. We will thoroughly examine your smile before deciding on what procedure to use—here are a few that we may choose from.

Scaling & Root Planing

A standard dental cleaning isn’t always enough to get rid of the bacteria that’s contributing to gum disease. Depending on how severe the issue is, our team may recommend a deep cleaning to address the source of your gum infection. A deep cleaning consists of two main steps: scaling and root planing. When performed together, these steps can go a long way toward stopping gum disease from growing worse.

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Do You Need Scaling & Root Planing?

The earliest stages of gum disease can sometimes be reversed with good oral hygiene, but once it progresses to a certain point, scaling and root planing may become necessary. If you notice any warning signs of gum disease (such as bleeding gums, gum recession, or shifting teeth), you should schedule an appointment with our team immediately. We’ll examine your mouth carefully in order to determine the best treatment option in your case.

The Process of Scaling & Root Planing

You can typically expect the scaling and root planing process to take at least two appointments to complete. Scaling is the first step; it involves getting rid of any plaque and tartar that have built up on your teeth, thus reducing the presence of the bacteria that are causing your gum disease. We’ll particularly make sure to clean down to the bottom of any pockets that have formed between your teeth and gums.

Once scaling is complete, we’ll move on to root planing. This is where we gently smooth out the tooth roots that are normally covered by your gum tissues. Doing so will encourage the gums to reattach to the teeth. On top of that, it can reduce the risk of future plaque accumulation by creating a surface that bacteria can’t accumulate on as easily.

Aftercare Tips for Scaling & Root Planing

To help make sure your recovery goes as smoothly as possible after scaling and root planing, be sure to follow these simple steps:

• Plan on not eating for at least a couple of hours following the procedure. Your mouth will still be numb due to the local anesthetic; trying to eat in this state could cause you to bite your tongue or cheek by accident.
• Make a point of rinsing with salt water every few hours. This will help reduce any discomfort that you may be experiencing.
• If necessary, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
• Until your mouth has finished recovering, you should make a point of staying away from foods that are sharp, spicy, or especially hot.
• Continue to brush your teeth as you normally would. Be very gentle when cleaning near the area where scaling and root planing were performed.

Normally, your discomfort should fade on its own over time, and your gums should finish healing within a week or two.

Antibiotic Treatment

Most antibiotics aren’t sufficient in order to completely eliminate bacteria, but combined with other treatments they can be incredibly useful. These antibiotics can come in the form of a prescription mouthwash, a pill, or small microspheres placed in the gum pockets.

Laser Periodontal Treatment

Laser periodontics is more of a tool than a treatment—it makes use of a soft tissue laser in either scaling, root planing, or the Chao Pinhole technique. Lasers are precise and cauterize the cuts they make, which makes recovery considerably easier.

Chao Pinhole Technique

This technique is used to help stretch gums that have receded. It’s done by creating tiny holes in the gum line and massaging them gently using a specialized instrument, allowing them to more effectively cover the roots of the teeth without the need for sutures, incisions, or a gum graft.