Gum Disease Treatment – Vero Beach, FL

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

While reversing early stages of gum disease like gingivitis can often be easily achieved by improving your at-home oral hygiene routine, in more advanced cases a deep cleaning known as scaling and root planing may be necessary.  With this treatment, your dentist will first remove the built-on deposits of plaque and bacteria that have accumulated above and below the gumline. Then, you’ll return for a second appointment where we’ll smooth the roots of the tooth so that healthy new gum tissue can reattach, protecting your teeth and gums from further damage.

Do I Need Scaling & Root Planing?

If your dentist notices signs of gum disease during your regular checkup and cleaning, such as bleeding when brushing or flossing, receding tissues or deep periodontal pockets, chronic bad breath, visible plaque buildup, or swollen or puffy gums, you may require a deeper cleaning than is offered at a standard preventive visit.

Although early stages of gum disease can often be reversed with an increased at-home oral hygiene routine, if the condition has progressed beyond what can be cared for on your own, your dentist may recommend a gum disease treatment in Vero Beach known as scaling and root planing to stop the progression of the condition and protect your teeth and gums.

The Process of Scaling & Root Planing

Typically, scaling and root planing takes two appointments to complete:

• On your first visit, your dental team will use a tool called a scaler to clear away all the plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth, reaching as far down as the periodontal pockets allow.
• Then, at your second appointment, your dentist will remove the hardened bacterial deposits on the roots of your teeth that are hidden below the gumline. This will help prevent further infection by prohibiting oral bacteria from re-colonizing in your gum tissue.

Aftercare Tips for Scaling & Root Planing

Because scaling and root planing can be an intensive treatment, it is typically done in two appointments spaced a few weeks apart. This allows your teeth and gums time to recover. During this period, you may experience increased sensitivity and discomfort as a natural part of the healing process. Some general aftercare tips for this procedure include:

• Rinse your gums with warm saltwater after each meal to help prevent irritation and loosen food and debris from around your teeth. This will make brushing and flossing easier, too. Saltwater can be made using ¼ teaspoon of salt for each eight ounces of water.
• Be very careful when brushing your teeth after treatment and use a soft-bristled toothbrush to reduce the risk of irritation and bleeding. Instead of brushing back and forth, use small circular motions and move very slowly.
• Because your teeth and gums can be sensitive to certain foods and beverages after treatment, avoid anything too hot or spicy, as well as acidic or alcoholic beverages, which can cause inflammation and irritation. Never smoke or chew tobacco.
• Be sure to eat a soft diet for the first 48 hours after treatment.
• Avoid any strenuous physical activity directly after your procedure to avoid prolonging the healing process.

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.