Just how important are your gums? Well, consider this—some dentists will not schedule any restorative or cosmetic dentistry treatments, and some will not even conduct a dental cleaning, if gums aren’t healthy. Think of it like this: just the way a house can’t be built without a solid foundation, your smile can not be restored or enhanced without the same kind of foundation. Feeding Hills dentist Dr. Frank Michitti and his staff offer periodontal therapy to ensure the health of your gums so you can have the beautiful smile that you deserve.
Gum Disease and Your Smile
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, can silently steal your smile. Very often, the initial symptoms are difficult to recognize. However, our dental hygienists are not only trained to treat this bacterial infection, but they also know how to spot the early warning signs. Once clear indicator is the depth of gum pockets around your teeth. At each dental checkup, we’ll measure gum pocket depth; anything over four millimeters may indicate the presence of gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease. Other signs that you can be on the look out for are gums that are red and swollen, and they may even bleed when you brush and floss.
Advanced gum disease is called periodontitis. At this stage, the symptoms are more severe and noticeable. These include:
- Persistent bad breath
- Gums that recede and begin to make your teeth look longer
- Pus between your teeth
- Shifting or loose teeth
Periodontal Therapy in Feeding Hills
The course of treatment that Dr. Michitti recommends will depend on how far advanced the disease becomes. If caught very early, gingivitis can sometimes be remedied with a more stringent oral hygiene routine at home. However, if the disease has progressed, then scaling and root planing will be necessary. During scaling, the dental hygienist removes bacteria, plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line. Then, during planing, the rough surfaces of tooth roots are smoothed so they are less receptive to sticky plaque, which is where gum disease begins in the first place.
In addition to this deep cleaning, antibiotic therapy may also be prescribed in order to completely eradicate any remaining bacteria. ARESTIN® is a topical treatment that Dr. Michitti applies directly to the gum line; this continues to work for several days. Periostat® is an oral antibiotic that helps stop your body from overproducing the enzymes that contribute to gum disease.
We can also do DNA testing simply by swabbing saliva. The results of this test show if you have gene markers that put you at higher risk for periodontal disease.
Contact Our Office Today
If you see any signs of gum disease, please don’t wait. Call Lifetime Dental today to schedule periodontal therapy that will help to ensure the health and beauty of your smile.