Periodontal Therapy – Midlothian, TX
Don’t Let Gum Disease Cost You Your Smile
Many people have gum disease without even realizing it, but if we find signs of unhealthy gums during your regular checkup, we can treat it with traditional root scaling and planing or a more advanced laser treatment. Our team at Long Family Dental fully appreciates how important the gums are to your overall health; as soon as we find a problem, we’ll come up with a treatment plan right away. If you have reason to be concerned about your gum health, please call us today for periodontal therapy in Midlothian, TX.
Why Choose Long Family Dental for Periodontal Therapy?
- Painless Laser Periodontal Therapy
- A Team of Highly Experienced Dentists
- Comfortable Modern Dental Office
About Gum Disease and Its Treatment
Your gums, along with nearby ligaments and bone tissue, are what hold your teeth in place. They make up what is known as the periodontium. If infection or injury weakens the periodontium and isn’t treated in time, then the teeth could be at risk for falling out entirely.
If you have gum disease, you might not notice any symptoms until the advanced stages, but some possible warning signs might include red gums that bleed easily, bad breath that doesn’t go away, gum recession that leaves the teeth looking longer than usual, loose teeth, and a bite that changes its position over time.
It is possible to treat gum disease and make the tissues in your mouth healthy again, but you’ll generally need professional care to fully address the problem. As soon as you notice possible symptoms of gum disease, get in touch with Long Family Dental so that we can check your mouth and start planning treatment if necessary.
Health Concerns Related to Gum Disease
The consequences that gum disease can have on your mouth are obvious, but the rest of your body might start suffering negative effects as well. Studies have shown a link between gum disease and a higher risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s. It has also been shown to be a factor in premature births and low birth weights. Needless to say, if you want to protect your overall health, you can’t afford to ignore gum disease for very long.
Scaling & Root Planing
During the early stages of gum disease, we can use scaling and root planing to get rid of the plaque and tartar that has built up around the gum line. This also involves smoothing the roots of the teeth so that the gums have a better chance of healing properly and reattaching themselves. When this treatment is combined with improved oral hygiene, it goes a long way towards reducing gum inflammation and the presence of bacteria in the mouth.
Soft Tissue Laser Dentistry
For the more advanced forms of gum disease, laser gum therapy is usually the more efficient and effective form of treatment. It works by using a concentrated beam of light energy to sterilize the area beneath the gum line. The enhanced precision of the laser lets us complete this procedure without having to touch otherwise healthy tissues. Also, it seals off any exposed blood vessels right away, so you should experience very little bleeding or swelling by the end of the treatment.
Of course, whether you need traditional scaling and root planing or a laser treatment, we’ll take the necessary steps to keep discomfort to a minimum during your visit. Antibiotics may be prescribed depending on your needs after the treatment.
Preventing the Recurrence of Gum Disease
Of course, just because gum disease has been treated once doesn’t mean it can’t come back. If you want to keep your mouth as healthy in the long run, then you need to take the time to protect your gums by brushing for two minutes at a time every day while also flossing at least once. Regular checkups are also important for maintaining oral health over the course of several years.