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Periodontal Therapy – Parsippany, NJ

Save Your Smile with Gum Disease Treatment

Tooth decay isn’t the only oral health issue that can damage your smile. Harmful bacteria lingering in your mouth can also infect your gum tissue. This is called gum (periodontal) disease, which results from plaque and tartar buildup. The preventable infection is the leading cause of tooth loss, but it won’t just impact your smile. It can also increase your risk of several health issues if it’s not treated early. Rauchberg Dental Group has the personalized solutions you need to save your smile with periodontal therapy in our Parsippany, NJ dental office.

What are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?

Animated smile during periodontal therapy for gum disease

Despite being preventable, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates at least 50% of adults in the U.S. have a form of gum disease, but most people aren’t aware they have it. At first, the signs can be subtle, or you may think they are caused by another factor, like overbrushing; however, over time, the symptoms can manifest to tooth loss as the infection progresses. It’s best to get treatment as soon as you notice any signs, such as:

  • Red, swollen, or inflamed gum tissue
  • Bleeding gums
  • Receding gum line
  • Tooth sensitivity
  • Chronic bad breath
  • Loosening of your teeth

What are the Stages of Gum Disease?

Woman with inflamed soft tissue caused by gum disease

The early stage of periodontal disease is gingivitis, which occurs when the gums are red, swollen, or bleeding. At this point, the infection can be treated quickly using a deep cleaning. In most cases, there aren’t any long-term complications to your oral health, but you might require more regular cleanings and checkups.

If the infection isn’t treated, it will progress to periodontitis. Now, the infection is destroying the supporting structures of your teeth. As a result, your gum tissue may pull away from their surfaces. Your teeth may even loosen. You’ll need an aggressive treatment plan to restore a healthy smile. If the infection reaches advanced stages, you may experience tooth loss. You may also notice adverse health issues, like high blood pressure, reoccurring respiratory infections, or diabetic complications.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Animated smile with enlarged bacteria

Gum disease is often the result of poor oral hygiene habits, like not flossing your teeth daily. Although anyone can develop it, there are certain risk factors that increase your likeliness for it, such as genetics, smoking, or diabetes.

How is Gum Disease Treated?

Animated smile during gum disease treatment

Your dentist will perform a comprehensive consultation to determine the extent of the infection to create a customized plan. Often, the first course of treatment involves a dental deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing.

During the scaling portion of the treatment, special dental instruments are used to remove plaque and tartar buildup below the gum line. Next, root planing is used to smooth the root surfaces of the teeth. This discourages future buildup while allowing the gum tissue to reattach to your teeth.

We may also recommend additional treatments depending on the severity of the infection, like antibiotics or laser gum therapy.

Schedule an Appointment Today!

Patient receiving gum disease treatment

If you have signs of gum disease, don’t wait until it’s too late to save your smile. Contact our dental office today to schedule your consultation for periodontal therapy.