Gum Disease Treatment Winthrop
Protecting Your Gums from Further Damage
Our dentists firmly believe in the old maxim that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By keeping your regular dental hygiene appointments, you’re helping yourself avoid the need for more extensive treatment later on. Prevention is especially important when it comes to your periodontal (gum) health. This is why Drs. Howard and Stephanie Brooks offer a range of options in gum disease treatment in Winthrop to help you enjoy a long-lasting, healthy smile. Let us better protect your gums from further damage by calling our office to schedule an appointment today.
Why Choose Brooks Dental for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Two Generations of Expertly Trained Dentists
- Personalized Approach & Innovative Dental Technologies Used
- In-House Surgical Dental Implant Placement with Advanced Cone Beam Scanner
What Is Gum Disease?
According to the CDC, about 4 in 10 adults over the age of 30 in the United States have some form of periodontal (gum) disease. The “periodontium” refers to the structures surrounding and supporting each of your teeth, including the gums, jawbone, and ligament around each tooth. Periodontal disease can develop when bacteria have the chance to accumulate in the spaces between the teeth and gums. The harmful bacteria dig in and damage the bone that supports your teeth, causing the gums to pull away and form what we call periodontal pockets. When left untreated, these pockets can lead to loosening of teeth and/or total tooth and bone loss.
The symptoms of gum disease may include:
- Bleeding, tender, swollen gums
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth
- Gum recession
- Loose teeth
- Shifting teeth
- Missing teeth (in the latest stages)
Don’t hesitate to call our office and request an appointment with Dr. Howard or Dr. Stephanie if you notice you are dealing with any of the symptoms of gum disease.
With a few extra visits a year to our office and improved dental hygiene at home, destruction from existing gum disease can be stopped. We will work with you to achieve the best practices for maintaining healthier teeth and gums.
Scaling & Root Planing
Once gum disease progresses and the periodontal pockets have reached a certain depth, we provide non-surgical scaling and root planing. Using special tools, we will clean above and below the gumline to remove disease-causing bacteria in a process known as scaling. Root planing smooths the root to prevent reinfection and encourages gum reattachment. Scaling and root planing may be completed over the course of several appointments. Make sure you come in as scheduled and take any prescribed antibiotics as directed so we can fend off bacteria and help you enjoy optimal oral health once again.
If the problem progresses to the latter stages, surgical treatment may be necessary for addressing periodontal disease.
How to Stay Away from Gum Disease
Periodontal disease can be prevented with regular preventive visits and excellent oral hygiene routines at home. First, the basics: make sure you brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day, and floss once daily (at least). Visit our office every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning. When you do, we will monitor the depth of any periodontal pockets and ensure you receive treatment as soon as possible. Also, maintain a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, and avoid tobacco for continued oral health.
Periodontal Procedures at Brooks Dental
Dr. Howard and Dr. Stephanie complete all of our periodontal procedures from the comfort of our dental office near Boston. From dental implant placement to bone grafting and much more, we are happy to provide your treatments in an environment where you already feel relaxed and at ease.
Our available periodontal procedures include:
- Single or Multiple Dental Implant Placement with Cone Beam Technology
- Sinus Augmentation and Bone Grafting in Advance of Dental Implant Placement
- Bone Grafting After Tooth Extraction
- Crown Lengthening Procedures
- Gum Recontouring
- Periodontal Pocket Elimination to Treat and Prevent Gum Disease
- Antibacterial Therapy with Arestin
Numerous Benefits of Gum Disease Treatment
Healthy gums contribute to lasting oral health, allowing you to enjoy all your favorite foods. Treating gum disease and maintaining a healthy periodontium can prevent shifting and crowding of teeth and of course prevent loosening and loss of teeth. There’s nothing like your natural teeth (not even a dental implant!), and our goal here at Brooks Dental is to help you maintain your teeth for a lifetime. Additionally, numerous studies report an association between periodontal (gum) health and heart health, linking gum disease to a higher risk of heart disease. At Brooks Dental, we firmly believe that oral health is the gateway to overall health! Visiting our highly experienced dental providers and having routine dental check-ups is one of the best ways to maintain your smile for a lifetime.