Treatment for Gum Disease
Your gums are the foundation of your smile. They play an integral role in your oral health as well as your overall health. When the gums become infected or diseased, serious consequences can result if treatment is not initiated. Gum disease is not only the leading cause of tooth loss, but it has also been linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes and premature birth. Therefore, you’ll find that Gwinnett Family Dental Care takes a proactive and comprehensive approach to treating gum disease or periodontitis. Because we know that patients have various levels of gum disease, we proudly offer the following forms of treatments here in our Lawrenceville office:
- Deep Cleaning (scaling and root planning)
- Arestin Antibiotics
- Soft Tissue Laser Therapy
Symptoms and Causes of Periodontitis
Gum disease is most easily reversed when caught early. While we perform a meticulous assessment of your gum health at your routine dental visits, it is important that you recognize the signs of gum disease on your own. If you notice the following symptoms of gum disease, please call our office to schedule an appointment:
- Persistent bad breath
- Red or swollen gums
- Bleeding gums
- Painful chewing
- Loose teeth
- Sensitive teeth
- Receding gums
Gum disease is essentially an infection of the soft tissues that hold your teeth in place. While there are many causes of gum disease, the infection typically starts when oral hygiene is poor and hardened plaque is allowed to accumulate along and below the gum line. This irritates the gums and causes the gums to pull away from the tooth roots, leaving deep pockets of tissue that further harbor bacteria and plaque. At its most advanced stage, gum disease can destroy the surrounding bone and tissue that support your teeth, which may result in tooth loss.
Arestin for Treatment of Periodontal Disease
At Gwinnett Family Dental Care, we proudly pursue the latest treatment options for gum disease. Arestin (minocycline hydrochloride) is an antibiotic that kills the bacteria that causes the infection of gum disease. It is typically used after a scaling and root planing procedure (deep cleaning), which eliminates stubborn plaque and bacteria below the gum line and encourages the gums to reattach to the tooth roots. Arestin is applied directly in the infected pockets of the gums. Here the antibiotic can begin working immediately to fight any lingering bacteria and inflammation that is fostering the infection. Arestin continues to work for up to 30 days or more.
Picasso Lite – Soft Tissue Laser for Gingivectomy
For those that have advanced gum disease (periodontitis), a special soft tissue laser can be used to restore your gum health. Our Lawrenceville dentists have proudly invested in the Picasso Lite, a gentle but highly effective laser for gingivectomy. A gingivectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that removes and reshapes the detached (loose) gum tissue that is diseased. This eliminates the deep pockets between the teeth and gum and prevents further infection.
To learn more about Arestin, Picasso Lite or other leading gum disease treatment options, contact Gwinnett Family Dental Care today. We treat all stages of gum disease, from mild gingivitis to advanced periodontitis.