Gum Disease Treatment – Frederick, MD
Protecting Your Smile’s Foundation
As important as your teeth are to your oral health, your gums matter just as much! If too much plaque and bacteria are allowed to accumulate, they can develop an infection called gum disease. Redness, swelling, and bleeding are common early symptoms, and without professional treatment, it can eventually lead to tooth loss. If your gums have been feeling a little more sensitive lately, you can trust My Fredrick Dentist to provide the targeted treatment you need to protect your smile. To learn more or schedule an appointment, contact us today.
Why Choose My Frederick Dentist for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Gum screenings performed at every checkup
- Specialty cleanings remove infection at the source
- Enjoy fast & painless laser gum treatments
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease affects nearly half of Americans and is marked by infection and inflammation of the gums, often caused by poor oral hygiene. When plaque and bacteria build up along the gumline, they can lead to infection, bringing on a range of symptoms and potential complications if left untreated. However, in its early stages, gum disease is completely reversible, making prompt attention and care essential to prevent progression.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Common signs of gum disease include:
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Bleeding gums, especially during brushing or flossing
- Persistent bad breath
- Receding gums that pull away from the teeth
- Deep pockets forming between teeth and gums
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Noticeable changes in your bite alignment
How Do We Treat Gum Disease?
If you notice any changes in your gums or teeth, no matter how minor, it’s important to contact our office right away. One of our experienced dentists can thoroughly evaluate your gums and teeth to determine if gum disease treatment is needed. While some advanced cases of the infection cannot be fully reversed, we can take steps to stop its progression and improve the health of your gums. Services we offer to address gum disease include:
Scaling & Root Planing
A scaling and root planing treatment is similar to a regular dental cleaning, except it is solely focused on the gum line and roots of the teeth. For the scaling portion, a small ultrasonic cleaner will be used to remove any plaque deposits located around the roots of the teeth, which are the underlying cause of gum disease. We’ll then gently smooth out the rough surfaces of the roots in order to make it harder for plaque to gather on them in the future, lowering the chance of reinfection.
Antibiotic Treatment
There are tiny spaces between your teeth and gums called periodontal pockets, and this is where gum disease bacteria tend to gather and multiply the most. They are very difficult to clean with regular tools, but we can reach them with topical antibiotic therapy. A medicine called Atridox is applied just below the gum line, and over the course of a week, it slowly dissolves and seeps down to eliminate even the most well-hidden bacteria.
Laser Periodontal Treatment
Our soft tissue laser gives us the ability to quickly eliminate harmful bacteria from along the gum line while keeping a patient completely comfortable. The concentrated beam of light instantly vaporizes the bacteria, all the while leaving the surrounding healthy gum tissue untouched. The instrument emits almost no heat, sound, or vibration as well, which is why many patients don’t even need local anesthetic during this kind of procedure.