Manage Symptoms with Gum Disease Treatment
If you are struggling with periodontal disease, effective gum disease treatment can protect your long-term oral health. Dr. Michael D. Haight in Albuquerque, NM, offers conservative, non-surgical procedures to manage symptoms, including scaling and root planing and advanced laser treatment. These options help us to eliminate infection-causing bacteria and remove compromised tissue, while preserving the structure of your smile. Our team can review your unique dental needs and design a treatment plan customized to you.
What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is caused by a buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth and around the gums. Over time, bacteria found in plaque can cause the gums to become inflamed and irritated. This is considered the first stage of gum disease, called gingivitis. Patients with gingivitis often experience puffy and tender gums, as well as bleeding when brushing or flossing. This is the only phase that is still reversible with professional periodontal care and proper dental hygiene.
If left unaddressed, gingivitis can progress into periodontitis. During this stage, the gums can pull away from the teeth, forming pockets that house bacteria. The bone and connective tissue that support teeth can begin to break down, resulting in tooth loss and jawbone atrophy.
Importance of Treatment
Gum disease is the most significant cause of tooth loss among adults. The longer you avoid treatment, the more invasive and costly your procedures will become. If advanced periodontitis remains untreated, surgical intervention may be necessary to manage the condition. In addition, gum disease has been linked to serious conditions including heart disease, respiratory issues, and stroke.
While good oral hygiene helps to keep gum disease at bay, sometimes bacteria can become trapped in hard-to-reach areas. As a result, only professional cleanings and exams can help to protect your smile.
Common Symptoms
If you are suffering from gum disease, you may experience:
- Bleeding, tender, or swollen gums
- Bad taste or bad breath
- Loose teeth
- Infection along the gum line
- Gum recession
- Changes in your bite
- Spacing between the teeth
Our team can conduct a thorough examination, so we can recommend the most effective treatment for your needs.
A Conservative Approach to Treatment
When diagnosed early, periodontal disease can be treated with scaling and root planing, which is a non-surgical deep cleaning. To ensure your comfort throughout the procedure, we can administer a local anesthetic. We also offer various forms of sedation if you suffer from dental anxiety. Once you are ready, we can use a scaler to clean the surface of teeth above and below the gum line. We can then smooth the tooth roots to discourage plaque deposits from building up on the surface.
Our dental laser enables us to remove infected soft tissue with reduced bleeding and impact to adjacent areas.
We may also incorporate our advanced dental laser into treatment. This tool enables us to remove infected soft tissue with reduced bleeding and impact to adjacent areas. Laser dentistry can minimize your recovery time and diminish your risk of infection. Most patients experience little to no discomfort following treatment. You should be able to resume your daily routine as soon as you leave our office.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Gum disease can be treated if diagnosed in its earliest stages. If you are experiencing symptoms, such as bleeding or swollen gums, schedule a consultation with Dr. Haight today by calling our Albuquerque, NM, dental office at (505) 298-7479 or contacting us online.
