Gum Disease Treatment – Weyauwega, WI
Protect Your Body by Protecting Your Gums
Gum disease – also known as periodontal disease – starts off with relatively mild symptoms; in fact, you may not even realize that you have it at first. But if it remains untreated, it will grow more and more severe over time. Eventually, it could result in tooth loss, and it may even increase your risk for whole-body problems such as heart attacks and dementia. Fortunately, Dr. Twohig is here to help you protect the health of your gums. Give us a call today if you think you might need gum disease treatment!
Why Choose William J. Twohig, DDS for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Caring Dentist That Takes Holistic Approach to Care
- Thorough, Gentle Scaling and Root Planing
- State-of-the-Art Laser Treatments
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease occurs when harmful bacteria build up in your mouth and attack your gum tissues, leading to an infection. There are two main stages of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the earliest stage, and it can sometimes be reversed if action is taken quickly enough. Once gum disease turns into periodontitis, fully curing it is no longer an option. However, it’s still possible to manage it so that it doesn’t continue to grow worse.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Are your gums redder or more swollen than usual? Do they tend to bleed easily when you brush or floss? Are your teeth looking longer than they usually do? Has your bite changed? Are some of your permanent teeth loose? All of these symptoms can potentially be warning signs of gum disease. We recommend that you call us immediately if you have any reason to be concerned about your gum health.
How Do We Treat Gum Disease?
Before we begin the treatment process, we’ll need to thoroughly examine your mouth. Once we have a grasp on how severe your gum disease currently is, we will be able to determine the best option for care.
Scaling & Root Planing
More advanced cases of gum disease often call for a deep cleaning, which consists of two main steps: scaling and root planing. The purpose of scaling and root planing is to address the source of your gum infection while also aiding with the healing process. Thanks to this procedure, our team has a reliable, noninvasive way to stop your gum disease from getting worse.
Do You Need Scaling & Root Planing?
Our team will only be able to determine whether scaling and root planing are truly right for you once we’ve examined your mouth and seen how severe the problem is. As such, we recommend that you call us if you have any reason to believe that you have developed gum disease. Here are a few possible warning signs that may indicate that scaling and root planing are warranted in your case:
- You keep finding blood on your toothbrush or your dental floss.
- Your teeth appear longer due to gum recession.
- You have chronic bad breath or are experiencing a bad taste in your mouth that won’t go away.
- Some of your teeth have shifted.
- You have found that it is more difficult to chew recently.
The Process of Scaling & Root Planing
We’ll begin with scaling, which has some similarities to a traditional dental cleaning. It involves gently removing any plaque and tartar that has accumulated over time. Unlike a traditional cleaning, however, scaling specifically focuses on the areas around and beneath the gumline. If any pockets have formed between your teeth and gums, we’ll take the time to clean all the way down to the bottom of them.
Root planing can begin once scaling is complete. For this step, we’ll smooth out any rough spots on your tooth roots. This step makes it easier for any detached gum tissue to re-adhere to the teeth. On top of that, it also lowers the chances of reinfection since bacteria can’t cling to smooth surfaces as easily.
Aftercare Tips for Scaling & Root Planing
Once scaling and root planing are complete, it will typically take your gums a few days to a week to heal from the procedure. Here are some steps you can follow to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible during your recovery:
- If you experience discomfort or tenderness, take ibuprofen or a similar kind of over-the-counter pain reliever.
- Get in the habit of rinsing with salt water every few hours. Not only will this help reduce your discomfort, but it can help your gums heal at a faster rate.
- Continue to brush and floss your teeth like normal. Be gentle whenever you clean near the area that was treated.
- Stay away from certain foods until your mouth has finished healing. In particular, you should make a point of avoiding anything that’s spicy or especially hot.
Laser Periodontal Treatment
Our state-of-the-art dental laser gives us a gentle, precise way to treat advanced cases of gum disease. The laser can be used to remove infected tissue and can get rid of much of the bacteria that are causing the problem. Soft-tissue lasers cause little to no discomfort, and they reduce the amount of swelling and bleeding that patients experience after their treatment.
Chao Pinhole Technique
Over time, gum disease can cause the gum tissues to pull away from the teeth, leaving the roots exposed. We can correct this issue with the Chao Pinhole Technique, which involves creating a small hole in the gums so that the gum line can be gently repositioned with special tools. This allows us to reverse the effects of gum recession without the need for scalpels or sutures.
Ozone Therapy
We are proud to be one of the few dental practices in Weyauwega that offers ozone therapy as a solution for gum disease. Exposing the gums to ozone encourages them to heal and helps get rid of harmful bacteria. Compared to other gum disease treatments, ozone therapy is one of the least invasive options.
Gum Disease Treatment FAQs
Is Gum Disease Considered an Emergency?
Gum disease is not necessarily seen as a dental emergency, especially if it’s still in its earliest stages. Nevertheless, it’s in your best interest to have it treated as quickly as possible. The longer gum disease is ignored, the more likely it is to result in severe consequences such as tooth loss. Addressing the problem promptly could make all the difference for your oral health as well as your overall health.
How Can I Prevent Gum Disease?
While gum disease is very common, it is also preventable. If you want to keep the risk of your gums becoming infected to a minimum, you can take the following steps:
- Brush your teeth at least two times a day, and be sure to pay close attention to the gumline.
- Floss every day to remove the bacteria and food particles that are hiding in the hard-to-reach spaces between your teeth.
- Eat plenty of foods that can promote healthy gums, such as fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamin C.
- Visit your dentist every six months for a routine dental checkup and cleaning. During these visits, your dental team can check for warning signs of gum disease that you may not have noticed on your own.
Can Gum Disease Cause Bad Breath?
Bad breath is indeed a possible side effect of gum disease. When the bacteria responsible for your gum infection feed on sugar, they can produce an unpleasant-smelling volatile sulfur compound. This can result in chronic bad breath that won’t go away no matter what you try. Fortunately, having your gum disease treated by a professional can go a long way toward reducing bad breath.
What is My Risk for Gum Disease?
You may be at a higher risk for gum disease if:
- You use cigarettes or other tobacco products.
- You do not practice good oral hygiene habits such as daily brushing and flossing.
- You are over the age of 65.
- You suffer from chronic feelings of stress.
- You use certain kinds of medications.
Note that while some people may be more likely to develop gum disease than others, the condition can happen to anybody. Thus, no matter who you are, it’s essential to seek professional treatment as soon as you notice any possible warning signs of gum disease.
How Much Does Gum Disease Treatment Cost?
There are several variables that could have an impact on the amount you end up paying for gum disease treatment. Obviously, the type of treatment needed can make a difference, as can the severity of your condition. Rest assured that our team will consider your specific needs very carefully before we give you an estimate of the overall cost. Note that dental insurance and third-party financing can both potentially help make gum disease treatment more affordable.