Gum Disease Treatment – Vero Beach, FL
Top-Notch Care for Sensitive, Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums may not seem like an urgent issue, but it often indicates a serious bacterial infection known as gum disease. An estimated 50% of adults in the United States currently have gum disease, which can result in tooth loss if left untreated. Here at Cromer & Cairns Dental, Dr. Julie Cromer partners with Dr. Justin Schwartz, an experienced periodontist (gum expert) to deliver truly top-notch gum disease treatment in Vero Beach. If you’ve been dealing with bleeding, swelling, or tender gums, don’t hesitate to contact our dental practice!
Why Choose Cromer & Cairns Dental for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Skilled In-House Periodontist
- Gentle Dental Team That Treats Patients Like Family
- Soft Tissue Laser Makes Treatment More Comfortable
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a common oral health issue that may seem harmless in its early stages, but it will eventually develop into a destructive and painful oral infection if it is not resolved. This illness is caused by bacteria infecting inflamed gums, and it can compromise the tissues holding the teeth in place, which can lead to tooth loss and potentially to dangerous secondary infections like sepsis. The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis, and it can usually be reversed by improving your oral hygiene regimen. However, untreated gingivitis will eventually become periodontitis, which causes permanent damage and must be managed with regular treatments from a qualified dentist such as Dr. Cromer, Schwartz, or Hartman.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
The symptoms of gum disease depend on the stage it is in. Gingivitis can show itself through signs like:
- Persistent bad breath
- Redness or swelling of the gum tissue
- Gums that bleed during brushing or flossing
- Tenderness
- Mild gum recession
Periodontitis, on the other hand, may involve symptoms like:
- Painful chewing
- Looseness of permanent teeth
- Dental sensitivity caused by advanced gum recession
- Changes in bite alignment
- Changes in how restorations like dentures and bridges fit
- Permanent tooth loss
How Do We Treat Gum Disease?
The best way to address a patient’s gum disease will depend on the severity of their case. After a thorough examination, our dentist may recommend a treatment like:
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is essentially an enhanced version of a professional dental cleaning, and it’s designed to directly target the source of the gum infection. The first step, scaling, involves removing the built-up deposits of plaque and tartar from both above and below the gumline. Then, we smooth the roughened surfaces of the roots of the teeth bacteria like to gather through a process called root planing. Together, scaling and root planing should encourage your gums to reattach to your teeth and heal quickly.
Antibiotic Treatment
As gum disease develops, bacteria tend to hide out in deep pockets between the gums and the teeth. Even with our advanced dental instruments, it’s often difficult to disinfect these areas, which is why we often employ topical antibiotic therapy. We simply apply an antibiotic called Arestin to the gum pockets. It dissolves over the course of several days, eliminating harmful bacteria in the deepest recesses of your gums.
Laser Periodontal Treatment
Thanks to a state-of-the-art soft tissue laser, our dental team can treat diseased gums with much greater precision and comfort than ever before. We can aim this focused beam of light at only the damaged tissue while preserving the healthy gum structure. Additionally, the laser provides nearly instant sterilization, which drastically reduces the bleeding, swelling, and general discomfort experienced after gum disease treatment.