Gum Disease Treatment – Lakewood, CO
Reclaim Healthy Gums and a Healthy Smile
Oftentimes, teeth steal the spotlight in dentistry. However, your gums are equally important. In fact, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss! So, it’s extremely important that you know the common symptoms to look out for, including bleeding when you floss. If you notice these or any other warning signs of trouble, don’t wait – schedule an appointment for gum disease treatment in Lakewood, CO.
Why Choose Carole Emanuel, DDS for Periodontal Disease Treatment?
- Arestin Antibiotic Therapy Available
- State-of-the-Art Dental Laser Therapy
- Individualized Care for Every Patient
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, also known as “periodontal disease,” is something roughly 50% of American adults struggle with. Although it’s prevalent, it shouldn’t be taken lightly. After all, it is a leading cause of tooth loss, and it’s extremely difficult to treat once it reaches its more advanced stages. That’s why our dedicated dentist, Dr. Carole Emanuel, looks for inflammation, discoloration, and other warning signs of trouble during your biannual exams. If she notices anything concerning, she will bring it to your attention right away and share the best way to proceed.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
If you notice any of the following symptoms, you should get in touch with us right away:
- Red, inflamed gums
- Bleeding when you floss
- Persistent sensitivity
- Teeth that appear longer (gum recession)
- A change in your bite
How Do We Treat Gum Disease?
Dr. Carole Emanuel is proud to offer scaling and root planing along with antibiotic therapy to treat gum disease. Additionally, she can custom-design periodontal recall appointments based on your situation, meaning she’ll work with you to decide how often you need to come in for further periodontal cleanings.
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing make up the deep cleaning process that’s required when regular cleaning techniques are no longer enough to address the damage done by gum disease. The first step is to target the small spaces between the gums and teeth and scrape away the harmful plaque and bacteria buildup that’s contributing to the problem. The second is to smooth out the roots of the teeth so that plaque can’t accumulate on the gums as easily; this makes it less likely that your gums will become reinfected.
Arestin Antibiotic Treatment
After scaling and root planing, there probably will still be some bacteria left in your mouth. We need to continue to fight said bacteria if your mouth is going to recover from the effects of gum disease. Our dental office does this with Arestin antibiotic therapy. Arestin consists of a number of microspheres that contain bacteria-fighting medication. When it’s applied to the pockets between your teeth and gums, the medication is released in the area where it can do the most good.
Laser Bacterial Reduction Therapy
While scaling and root planing is able to handle a moderate amount of bacteria and tartar accumulation below the gum line, using it to remove extensive buildup would be both uncomfortable and time-consuming for the patient. That’s why if a patient has advanced gum disease, we instead perform laser bacteria reduction therapy. Rather than physically cleaning the teeth, a concentrated beam of light is used to break up and instantly evaporate harmful bacteria and diseased tissue. The instrument emits almost no heat, sound, or vibration, so it is a very comfortable procedure, and most patients don’t even need a local anesthetic.