In the early stages of peridontal disease, most treatments involve non-surgical procedures. However, in more advanced stages, surgery is often required. Lawrenceville Dental Implant Center And Periodontics, LLC, located in Lawrenceville, NJ, offers a variety of gum disease treatments to their patients. Our periodontists, Dr. John Lu and Dr. Raul Figueroa, are among the best periodontists in Lawrenceville. Here are four non-surgical treatments for gum disease that you should be aware of.
Scaling and Root Planing
Root planing and scaling, otherwise known as a deep cleaning, is one of the best ways to treat periodontal disease. This non-surgical procedure is considered the gold standard of treatment for patients with gum disease. Scaling and root planing cleans between the teeth and the gums. This procedure will remove the plaque and tartar from your teeth and help your gums regain health.
Antibiotics/Antimicrobials
Antimicrobial therapy is the use of chemicals to destroy or slow down the growth of bacteria that cause gum disease. The two most common forms of this therapy are antibiotics and antiseptics. Antibiotics are given as pills or placed under the gums to treat gum disease. Antiseptics are found in mouth rinses. They are used to help prevent gum disease. Research shows that antibiotics have added benefit in treating gum disease in conjunction with scaling and root planing.
Bite Adjustment
The most common reason for tooth looseness is gum disease. If severe gum disease remains untreated, loose teeth will eventually fall out. Another contributor to the loosening of teeth is a grinding habit. A bite adjustment can be performed by reshaping small amounts of tooth enamel. This changes the way upper and lower teeth contact each other, lessening the force. If a grinding habit is a problem, a bite guard can be worn when needed.
Oral Hygiene
One of the best ways to treat periodontal disease is to practice good oral hygiene. Gingivitis is a mild form of periodontal disease that can usually be cured with daily flossing and brushing and professional dental cleanings by a dentist. Your periodontist may also recommend specialized toothbrushes, such as those that have smaller heads and are motorized, which may be a more effective method of removing plaque from teeth than a regular toothbrush.
Gum disease can be reversed with non-surgical treatments. However, it can lead to major issues if it is not treated in a timely manner. If you want a healthy, beautiful smile, call Lawrenceville Dental Implant Center And Periodontics, LLC in Lawrenceville, NJ, at (609) 896-0700 right now to schedule an appointment with one of our world-class periodontists. We will help you get rid of gum disease once and for all.