Gum Disease Treatment

Gingivitis is the first type of gum disease. With this type of disease there is superficial inflammation of the tissues around your teeth. You may notice some bleeding or swelling around your gums. This alone is not a threat to the health of your teeth. However, if the gingivitis is left untreated and progresses, it could lead to periodontal disease.

Periodontitis is the second type of gum disease. Not only does this affect the gum tissue, but it attacks the bony support of the tooth. If left untreated over time, the bone will slowly be destroyed. Sooner or later the teeth will loosen and fall out or they will need to be removed. With gum disease there are no obvious symptoms. It can progress over many years until finally the teeth become loose. At this point, nothing can be done to stop it.

Flossing and brushing regularly helps, but don’t miss your professional cleanings and examinations. During the examination, one of our hygienists at Paradise Ridge Dentistry will probe your gums. The probe is used like a tiny ruler to measure the gum pocket depths. This procedure is usually painless and necessary to determine if there is bone loss around the tooth and root.

During your examination, while the hygienist is probing your gums, pay attention to the numbers called out. See the range below:

• 1- 3 mm – normal depth below the gum tissue
• 3-5 mm – early or mild periodontitis
• 5-7 mm – moderate periodontitis
• 7-10 mm – advanced periodontitis

Pockets that measure less than 3 (about 1/8”) or less millimeters, fit tight against the teeth, and have pink tips are considered healthy. That is if no bone loss appears on X-rays. Unhealthy pocket depths from 3 to 5 millimeters indicate early signs of disease. At this point, the tarter that develops on your teeth begins to go below the gum line. There could also be evidence of bone loss. Pockets that exceed 5 millimeters will result in receding gums and there is a greater amount of bone loss.

If your gums have receded from your teeth and there is evidence of bone loss, a basic cleaning may not be effective to remove the tartar that reaches deep below the gum line. At this point, we may recommend a customized gum therapy program based on the health of your gums. There may be one or more areas that needs attention inside your mouth.

At Paradise Ridge Dentistry, we offer a non-surgical treatment called scaling and root planing (SRP). Upon numbing the gums, the treatment enables the hygienist to scrape the tartar and plaque from above and below the gum line and smooth the rough spots on the teeth where germs and bacteria collect. Bacteria is one of the contributors to gum diseases. After an SRP has been completed the teeth should have a smooth, clean surface allowing the gums to naturally reattach to the teeth.

After the SRP has been completed, the hygienist will complete the gum therapy with laser gum treatment. Not to worry, laser treatment is very safe and often painless. This procedure is highly effective for reducing the bacteria deep below the gum line.

Click here to learn more about laser gum treatment.

Call Paradise Ridge Dentistry or make an appointment online for an evaluation, and get your gums right at Paradise Ridge Dentistry.