Gum Disease Treatment Bullard

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease has been implicated as a causative factor in heart disease, stroke, diabetes, pre-mature births, and low birth weight. It is an infection of the gums and jawbones. The bacteria and toxins created by your body’s attempt to fight the bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause serious problems in other parts of the body. It is critical to have your teeth cleaned and examined for gum disease at least twice a year by Dr. Morgan at our Bullard dental office. The good news is that gum disease can be treated and prevented. Dr. Morgan can perform periodontal therapy that involves scaling and root planing, and we can recommend special toothbrushes, toothpastes, rinses, and medications to help you.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease?

If you have gum disease, you may notice these common symptoms:

• Red or bleeding gums
• Swollen or tender gums
• Gum recession
• Sensitive teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Painful chewing
• Change in how your teeth fit together

If you notice any of these symptoms, contact our office as soon as possible for necessary treatment. Once the disease has persisted passed the gingivitis stage, it can damage your surrounding supportive tissue, leading to tooth loss. Untreated gum disease can also increase your risk of more serious overall health issues like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s.

Scaling & Root Planing

Dr. Morgan, an expert dentist in Bullard, can provide the treatment you need for a healthy smile. He will carefully examine your mouth to see the severity of your gum disease and develop a personalized treatment plan to restore your health.

A common way to address advanced gum disease is scaling and root planing, also called a deep cleaning. During this procedure, he will scale your teeth to remove any plaque and tartar that can cause gum disease. He will then clean under your gumline, carefully removing plaque buildup that is causing inflammation. After that, he will treat your tooth roots to make it harder for plaque and bacteria to cling to your teeth and cause infection. Dr. Morgan will make sure you are comfortable during this procedure by numbing your mouth and providing noise-canceling headphones and other relaxation techniques.

If you’ve been having issues with your gums or notice any of the symptoms we’ve mentioned, contact our office right away to receive treatment. That way, you can keep your smile and body as healthy as possible.

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Do I Need Scaling & Root Planing?

While gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, can usually be reversed with improved oral hygiene habits, the more advanced stage called periodontitis must be addressed with professional treatments. You may need scaling and root planing if you exhibit symptoms like:

• Bleeding during oral hygiene sessions
• Redness or swelling of the gums
• Visible accumulations of plaque
• Persistent bad breath (halitosis) that cannot be resolved by brushing and flossing

The Process of Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling and root planing usually requires two appointments to complete, and the process generally works like this:

• The first appointment (scaling): Using specialized tools, Dr. Morgan will carefully remove plaque and tarter from the teeth and the pockets of the gums.
• The second appointment (root planing): This procedure involves Dr. Morgan removing hardened deposits of bacteria from the roots of the teeth. He’ll also treat the dental roots to encourage them to reintegrate with the gum tissue, which will help prevent new infections.

Aftercare Tips for Scaling & Root Planing

If may take several weeks for your mouth to recover completely after scaling and root planing, and you may experience sensitivity and discomfort while healing. To keep your recovery process as smooth and comfortable as possible, we’ll provide you with detailed aftercare instructions that will probably include:

• Rinsing regularly with warm saltwater to ease inflammation, loosen plaque and food debris, and kill harmful germs.
• Being gentle when brushing and flossing after treatment.
• Avoiding foods and beverages that are hot, spicy, sweet, acidic, crunchy, sticky, or chewy until you can enjoy them comfortably.
• Refraining from using alcohol and tobacco.
• Sticking to a soft diet for at least 48 hours after treatment.
• Taking a break from intense exercise for several days after the procedure.