Gum Disease Treatment Whitney
Gently Caring for Sensitive & Bleeding Gums
Your teeth depend on support from your gums and underlying jawbone to stay healthy. Although gum disease symptoms are minor in the early stages (sensitivity, redness, swelling, bleeding), it is the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the U.S. At Lake Whitney Dental, our team can directly tackle gum disease with gentle, personalized treatments.
Why Choose Lake Whitney Dental for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Dental Team with Decades of Experience
- Fast, Painless Procedure with Soft Tissue Laser
- Designed to Reduce the Risk of Future Infection
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gum tissue and structures that support your teeth. It begins as gingivitis, which manifests as inflammation and irritation along the gumline, but left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis. In this advanced stage, it destroys the bone and connective tissue holding your teeth in place, potentially leading to tooth loss. It is one of the most common dental conditions in adults; however, with the right care, it is highly treatable and manageable.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Gum disease often develops quietly, but knowing what to watch for can make all the difference in catching it before serious damage occurs. Some of the most common signs of gum disease include:
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing
- Persistent bad breath that doesn't resolve with brushing
- Gums that appear to be pulling away or receding from the teeth
- Teeth that feel loose or have shifted in position
- Pain or sensitivity when chewing
- Changes in the way your teeth fit together
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible!
Scaling & Root Planing
The most common way we eliminate gum disease is with a two-part treatment called scaling and root planing. Scaling entails removing all of the accumulated plaque and tartar from beneath the gumline. Then, with root planing, we smooth out the roots of the teeth to make it harder for plaque to attach to them in the future.
Antibiotic Treatment
When gum disease is more persistent, we may recommend a localized antibiotic treatment to help eliminate the bacteria that scaling and root planing can't fully reach. We use Arestin, a special antibiotic placed directly into the infected pockets between your teeth and gums following your deep cleaning. It releases medication gradually over time, working beneath the gumline to reduce infection and help restore gum health from the inside out.