Patient FormsGum Disease Treatment – New York City, NY
Keep Your Entire Smile Healthy
A lot of adults are far more worried about cavities than they are about gum disease, but the truth is that it is important to keep your entire smile healthy, including your gums! Gum disease can lead to jawbone deterioration and tooth loss if ignored for too long, and it is known to play a role in inflammatory conditions throughout the body. Our team can provide periodontal care for inflamed and bleeding gums; call FS Dental Arts today to set up a consultation to talk about your options for gum disease treatment in New York City, NY.
Why Choose FS Dental Arts for Gum Disease Treatment?
- State-of-the-Art Soft Tissue Lasers
- Welcoming, Friendly Dental Office
- Highly Skilled Team
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection of the pink tissue that surrounds the teeth. It has two main stages:
- Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease. It is fairly mild and does not cause permanent damage to the oral tissues.
- Periodontitis can develop if gingivitis remains untreated for too long. It can cause permanent damage to the gums and underlying bone.
Anyone can develop gum disease, but it tends to be more common in certain groups, including older individuals, people with poor oral hygiene habits, smokers, and pregnant women.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Gingivitis can cause the following symptoms:
- Persistent bad breath
- Swollen, red, and puffy gums
- Gums that bleed easily when you brush and floss
- Mild gum recession (your teeth may appear a bit longer than usual)
Periodontitis can cause the same symptoms as gingivitis. However, it may also come with some more severer signs and symptoms, including:
- Loose teeth and tooth loss
- Pain while chewing
- Changes in the fit of restorations like dentures and bridges
- Severe gum recession
How Do We Treat Gum Disease?
The best treatment for gum disease depends on how progressed your condition is and other factors. In very mild cases, it may be reversible via some changes to your at-home oral hygiene routine. In other instances, more extensive care is necessary. Here are a few examples of gum disease treatments that we offer:
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling is the process of removing plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums. When used to treat gum disease, scaling focuses on the areas around and beneath your gumline to remove bacteria from the spots that a normal dental cleaning wouldn’t reach. We can also smooth out the roots of your teeth with a procedure called root planing; this helps prevent future plaque buildup and gives the gums a chance to reattach themselves to the teeth as they heal.
Arestin Antibiotic Treatment
We often prescribe Arestin antibiotic therapy alongside scaling and root planing. Some bacteria will still be present in your mouth even after the deep cleaning process, but antibiotics can be used to fight them where they live. Arestin takes the form of a powder that is placed in the pockets between your teeth and gums. The microspheres in the powder will gradually release medication over time, thus aiding with the pocket reduction process over the next several weeks.
Laser Periodontal Treatment
In some cases, we can use a laser to remove diseased gum tissue. This helps to get rid of infected areas and sets the stage for proper healing. Treatments performed with a laser are faster, more precise, and more comfortable than those performed with a scalpel. Lasers are also very effective at killing bacteria, which can be a great help in the fight against gum disease.