Periodontal Therapy For Indianapolis & Carmel
You may not think about your periodontal (gum) health all that often, but your gum tissue actually plays a crucial role in your oral and overall health -- especially as you age. People who have healthy teeth and gums are more likely to avoid tooth loss and a host of related problems as they age. However, gum disease is still a common threat for many adults. Fortunately, it can be treated when you partner with a dentist providing excellent periodontal therapy in Indianapolis, like the team at the Indy Dental Group. Keep reading to learn more about gum disease, periodontal therapy, and how we can help you smile beautifully for years and years to come.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the periodontal (gum) tissue that supports your teeth. It is usually caused by insufficient oral hygiene, which allows for the plaque and bacteria buildup that causes infection. Smoking, dry mouth, and older age are other common risk factors of gum disease.
Gum disease is all too common in our country, with estimates saying that almost half of adults over the age of 35 experience this condition to some extent. Inflammatory conditions like gum disease can cause serious issues if left untreated, because the chronic inflammation eats away at healthy hard and soft tissues while also increasing the risk of developing other inflammatory diseases throughout the body. As a result, gum disease has been linked to tooth loss as well as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and a host of other health conditions.
How Do I Know If I Need Periodontal Therapy?
In the beginning stages, the warning signs of gum disease are easy to miss. Watch out for bleeding, tender, and sensitive gums, which can signal gingivitis, also known as early gum disease. As the condition progresses, chronic bad breath, tooth sensitivity, and visibly receding gums will be noticeable in addition to bleeding gums. In the very latest stages loose or shifting teeth may develop before tooth loss eventually occurs.
Do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with your dentist in Indianapolis at Indy Dental Group if you notice any of these symptoms, as prompt treatment of gum disease is vital for its successful treatment. When you schedule an appointment, we will examine your gums and teeth to check for periodontal pockets, which are the spaces between the teeth and gums that indicate the presence of infection. Once the pockets have passed a certain depth we will recommend periodontal treatment.
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is the primary method of treatment for moderate levels of periodontal disease. Most patients haven’t heard of this dental procedure, so if you’re unfamiliar with it, don’t worry. You’re not the first or the last to wonder what in the world “scaling and root planing” means!
Below, you can find more detailed information about this treatment, as well as aftercare and prevention tips. If you have any questions or concerns about scaling and root planing, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team. We’ll be happy to provide clarification.
Do I Need Scaling & Root Planing?
The periodontal treatment that’s right for you will depend on the severity of your gum disease. In the beginning stages, when the pockets are just around 2 to 4 millimeters deep, gum disease is usually easily reversible. Your dentist may recommend a couple of extra visits to our office as well as improved dental hygiene habits at home. Removing plaque and bacteria can be enough to reverse the condition in this case.
Once the pocket depths reach 5 millimeters or beyond, however, improved dental hygiene alone will not be enough to reverse the infection. You’ll need a prompt scaling and root planing treatment to avoid any serious complications.
The Process of Scaling & Root Planing
During your scaling and root planing, we will use special tools to clean around and just below the gum line, thoroughly removing all of the infected tissue. We’ll also clean the tooth’s root to prevent the bacteria that caused the infection from repopulating.
This treatment method will need to be repeated over the course of several appointments. It is also often combined with ATRIDOX® antibiotic therapy, where we apply an antibiotic directly to the treatment area to kill bacteria right where it lives.
Scaling and root planings are not associated with much discomfort, but we can provide local anesthesia and sedation as needed for your comfort. Let us know what your needs are and we’ll do our best to accommodate them!
Aftercare Tips for Scaling & Root Planing
While we can secure your comfort during the scaling and root planing process, it’ll be up to you to take care of your gums once you return home. Since you’ll likely be sore for a week or two, it’s best to take it easy and be gentle with your mouth. Here’s what we generally recommend:
- Rinse your gums with a salt water mixture daily. This will help promote the healing process and loosen food debris for easier brushing and flossing.
- Use soft oral hygiene products, like a soft-bristled toothbrush. Avoid brushing back and forth, instead moving in circles so you don’t irritate your gums.
- Stay away from hot and spicy foods, as they can trigger your sensitive oral tissues and cause discomfort.
- Do not chew tobacco or smoke!
- Get plenty of rest, and don’t take part in intensive physical activity directly after your treatment.
How Can I Prevent Gum Disease?
Gum disease is easily preventable with excellent oral hygiene practices and regular visits to your dentist. Prevention of this condition is vital given the fact that healthy gums promote better overall health as you age. To keep your gums healthy and your smile complete, keep these gum disease prevention tips in mind:
- Brush your teeth for two minutes, at least twice a day or after each meal.
- Use an electric toothbrush for the most thorough clean.
- Always opt for oral hygiene products that contain fluoride.
- Floss gently between your teeth at least daily.
- Swish with an antimicrobial rinse for additional cleansing.
- Visit your dentist twice-annually (or more often if recommended).
- Maintain a balanced, nutritious, low-sugar diet.
- Stop smoking or do not develop a tobacco habit.
Follow these steps and you can feel great knowing you are doing your part to maintain excellent periodontal health!
Learn More About Periodontal Health Today!
Maintaining optimal periodontal health is crucial for enjoying a healthy, attractive, long-lasting smile as you age. If you are interested in discussing gum disease or if you know you need superior treatment for this chronic infection, you are invited to contact the office of Indy Dental Group for treatment for gum disease in Indianapolis. Go ahead -- we can’t wait to help you enjoy a happy, healthy smile for life!
Gum Disease FAQs
What is gum disease/periodontal disease?
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, refers to infections of the gum tissue that support the teeth. While these infections may be imperceptible or seemingly harmless in their early stages, they will become increasingly destructive if left untreated and eventually cause permanent damage such as gum recession and tooth loss. As gum disease progresses, it causes the soft tissue to disconnect from the roots of your teeth, which creates pockets that can house colonies of plaque and harmful oral bacteria that can wreak further havoc on your oral health. While gum disease can usually be reversed with improved hygiene in its early stage called gingivitis, advanced infections known as periodontitis require regular attention from a dentist to manage.
What are the symptoms of gum disease?
In the early stage called gingivitis, gum disease can be easily recognized in symptoms like bleeding and tenderness in the gums. However, the advanced stage of periodontitis can cause more alarming symptoms like:
- Bleeding
- Visible tartar buildup
- Gumline recession
- Loose teeth
- Discomfort
- Bad breath
- A foul taste in the mouth
Does gum disease cause bad breath?
The human brain is programmed to interpret smells caused by accumulations of harmful bacteria as unpleasant, and periodontal infections can cause severe halitosis. Unfortunately, conventional bad breath treatments such as breath mints, brushing your tongue, using mouthwash, and taking medication will not make this issue go away. The best way to resolve bad breath caused by gum disease is to contact the Indy Dental Group so we can eliminate the harmful accumulations located beneath the gumline.
Can gum disease make your teeth fall out?
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the world. Since gum disease causes the soft tissue to detach from the roots of the teeth, it will gradually compromise the bone structures holding them in place and eventually cause them to fall out completely if the problem goes untreated. While you can usually reverse gum disease if you catch it in its early stages by improving your oral hygiene, advanced gum disease must be managed with regular periodontal care from one of our dentists.
Can gum disease be spread by kissing?
Kissing or sharing food with someone with gum disease can expose your oral cavity to the harmful oral bacteria causing it, which may cause you to develop gum infections in rare cases. The best way to prevent this is to keep up with excellent oral hygiene by brushing, flossing, and using antibacterial mouthwash every day while seeing us regularly for checkups. This will eliminate the conditions that harmful bacteria need to thrive and prevent them from gaining the foothold in your mouth that they need to cause serious damage.