Gum Disease Treatment – Sunnyvale, TX

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an accumulation of bacteria in the mouth that flourishes along the gums. It comes in two stages—gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the milder version of the condition, and its symptoms are mostly confined to bad breath and bleeding gums.

However, this can easily turn into periodontitis, which is more severe. Bone loss and tooth loss become possible. These problems are irreversible if they begin, which means that it’s crucially important that you catch and treat gum disease before it progresses to this point.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

To understand the distinction between these two conditions, it may be helpful to explain in a bit more detail what symptoms each of them entail.

In the case of gingivitis:

• Gums that bleed during brushing or flossing
• Gums appearing dark red in color
• Swelling or redness of the gums
• Persistent bad breath, known as halitosis
• Gums that are tender to touch
• Receding gums, where the gum tissue pulls back, revealing more of the teeth structure

And for periodontitis:

• Discomfort or pain during chewing
• Sensitivity in teeth due to gum recession
• Alteration in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• Changes in the fit of dental restorations, such as partial dentures
• Loosening of permanent teeth
• Loss of teeth

How Do We Treat Gum Disease?

Gum disease is a complex condition with a variety of treatment options connected to it. We will thoroughly examine your smile before deciding on what procedure to use—here are a few that we may choose from.

Scaling & Root Planing

This is a two-part process, usually conducted across different appointments. First, the scaling; this entails removing all of the plaque and tartar on your teeth in order to minimize the number of bacteria in the mouth.

Then, the root planing; this involves smoothing out the surface of the teeth’s roots, eradicating any bacterial deposits below the gum line. This makes it easier for the gums to reattach to the teeth.

• This is a two-part process that can be completed in two appointments, usually.
• First, the dentist will thoroughly remove all plaque and tartar from the teeth to minimize bacteria presence. If the patient has experienced gum recession, they’ll scale as far down as the pockets of their gums to make sure no bacteria are left to hide in the area.
• Then, they’ll smooth out the surface of the roots of the teeth, removing any hardened bacteria deposits. This will help their gum tissue to healthily reattach to the tooth’s structure and protect the roots.

Antibiotic Treatment

Most antibiotics aren’t sufficient in order to completely eliminate bacteria, but combined with other treatments they can be incredibly useful. These antibiotics can come in the form of a prescription mouthwash, a pill, or small microspheres placed in the gum pockets.

Laser Periodontal Treatment

Laser periodontics is more of a tool than a treatment—it makes use of a soft tissue laser in either scaling, root planing, or the Chao Pinhole technique. Lasers are precise and cauterize the cuts they make, which makes recovery considerably easier.

Chao Pinhole Technique

This technique is used to help stretch gums that have receded. It’s done by creating tiny holes in the gum line and massaging them gently using a specialized instrument, allowing them to more effectively cover the roots of the teeth without the need for sutures, incisions, or a gum graft.