Gum Disease Treatment
When left untreated, gum disease, or periodontal disease, can result in the loss of teeth, bone, gums and tissues. If you’ve been diagnosed with gingivitis or periodontitis, it’s important to seek treatment for gum disease. At Red Bank Smiles in Red Bank, NJ, we provide a full range of protective, restorative and replacement services to improve your dental health and smile. Call us today at 732-741-1052 to inquire about our dental health services.
How Is Gum Disease Treated?
When it comes to gum disease treatment, our main goal is to control the infection. Depending on the stage of the disease, we may recommend different courses of treatment. In many cases, we’ll perform a deep cleaning of the tooth below the gum line – otherwise known as scaling and root planing.
During a deep cleaning, we’ll remove the plaque and tartar above and below the gum line. This process is called “scaling.” Root planing, on the other hand, involves smoothing out the rough spots on the tooth root that serve as breeding grounds for bacteria to help the gums reattach to the tooth and eliminate germs. Based on the current stage of gum disease, multiple scaling and root planing procedures may be necessary to effectively remove plaque and tartar.
In addition to deep-cleaning procedures, you may also be prescribed medications. Some common medications include:
- Prescription Antimicrobial Mouth Rinse – Used like a regular mouthwash, this prescription mouth rinse helps control bacteria.
- Antiseptic Chip – After a root planing, an antiseptic chip may be placed in the periodontal pockets to release bacteria-controlling medicine over time.
- Antiseptic Gel – This antibiotic is placed into pockets after scaling and root planing to keep bacteria in check.
- Antibiotic Microspheres – Like antiseptic chips, these microspheres are placed into pockets following a deep-cleaning procedure and release minocycline slowly over time to control bacteria.
- Enzyme Suppressant – This low-dose, oral medication contains doxycycline, which helps minimize the body’s natural enzyme response to prevent breakdown of gum tissue and bones.
- Oral Antibiotics – Available in tablets or capsules, this oral medication helps treat acute or local periodontal infections.
If gum disease cannot be controlled by scaling, root planing or medication, surgical intervention may be necessary to reduce the size of the periodontal pocket or to perform bone and tissue grafts. If you’ve experienced tooth loss as a result of gum disease, the team at Red Bank Smiles can help replace missing teeth with implants, bridges or dentures.
To see which gum disease treatment option is right for you, schedule an appointment at Red Bank Smiles today.
