Gum Disease Treatment – Lakewood, CO
Caring for More Than Just Your Teeth
Your teeth play a crucial role in your oral health, but did you know your gums are just as important? When bacteria and plaque gather on your gums, it can lead to a dangerous infection called periodontal (gum) disease. Without treatment, you can suffer tooth loss and overall health problems like heart disease and diabetes. If you need relief for sensitive or bleeding gums, please contact us to learn how Dr. Henry can help with gum disease treatment in Lakewood, CO!
Why Choose Dedicated Dentistry for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Comfortable Amenities and Sedation Offered
- Stress-Free, Low-Pressure Approach to Dental Care
- Soft Tissue Laser for More Efficient Treatment
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a treatment that focuses on the parts of the teeth below the gum line. Scaling involves an ultrasonic cleaner breaking up plaque deposits – the source of the infection – along the gum line and on the roots of the teeth. Root planing involves smoothing down the teeth’s root surfaces, which have been roughened by bacterial buildup. This encourages healing while discouraging bacteria from gathering in the future.
Laser Periodontal Therapy
Some of our experienced team members can use a soft tissue laser to remove dangerous bacteria from your gum line. This device emits an intensely concentrated beam of light, vaporizing bacteria while preserving your healthy gum tissue. Compared to traditional dental instruments, laser periodontal therapy is often so comfortable that most patients don’t even need to be numbed with a local anesthetic!
Antibiotic Therapy
As gum disease progresses, tiny spaces start to form between your gums and your teeth. Bacteria love to gather in these areas, called periodontal pockets. Cleaning these spaces can be challenging even with our advanced dental instruments, but topical antibiotic therapy can work wonders for reducing the infection. Once we apply the medicine to your periodontal pockets, it gradually dissolves and works to eliminate bacteria in even the deepest reaches of your gums.
Causes of Gum Disease
Gum disease occurs when plaque accumulates, allowing harmful bacteria to attack the tissues in the gums and jawbone. Commonly caused by inadequate oral hygiene, gum disease can also develop for other reasons, such as a genetic predisposition or tobacco use. Not only does smoking contribute to dry mouth (inhibiting the production of saliva that washes away bacteria), but it also hinders your body’s ability to fight infections.
Gum Disease Prevention
Even if gum disease runs in your family, you can still minimize your risk by taking certain precautions. Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes and flossing at least once a day disrupts the formation of plaque. You should also try to quit smoking. Lastly, keep your six-month dental checkups. Gum disease can be hard to detect, but Dr. Henry can spot and treat it early on.