Periodontal (Gum) Disease Treatment – Goode, VA
Helping You Overcome Gum Inflammation
Periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) is the leading cause of tooth loss for adults who are over thirty-five years of age, and its presence has been shown to contribute negatively to overall health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and cancer. That’s why Drs. Brandon and Julia White and the rest of our team at White Cosmetic & Family Dentistry make the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease a top priority. By diagnosing this condition at the earliest stage possible, we can reverse ill effects and get patients of all ages back to enjoying the healthy smile they deserve. When early diagnosis is not possible, we offer periodontal (gum) disease treatment in Goode, VA.
Why Choose White Cosmetic & Family Dentistry for Periodontal (Gum) Disease Treatment?
- Personalized treatment plans catered to your needs
- Experienced dentists who are highly trained
- Compassionate team of professionals ready to help
How Do I Know if I Have Periodontal Disease?
There are many cases where potential symptoms may be too mild for an untrained eye to recognize. That’s why attending regular check-ups at our Goode dental office is so important to protect and maintain oral health.
Here are some common signs:
- Bleeding gums.
- Discomfort felt throughout the mouth.
- A receding gum line.
- Severe bad breath that lingers even after brushing/flossing/using mouthwash.
- Significant tenderness or redness in the gums.
Gum Disease Treatment Options
Our recommended treatment for periodontal or gum disease depends on how far it’s progressed. In some cases, more frequent or in-depth cleanings may be enough to return your smile to full health. We also offer root scaling and planing, an involved treatment where we clean the areas of teeth beneath the gums and smooth the surfaces of your tooth roots. Antibiotic therapy could be needed as well. Dr. White will review these options with you once we know more about your unique case and will work with you to create a treatment plan that restores oral health.
Scaling & Root Planing
In this treatment, we go beyond a normal teeth cleaning. Scaling entails in-depth cleaning both above and below the gum line, clearing out pockets of plaque and bacteria that have accumulated. Then, once we ensure that your teeth are free from plaque, we can perform root planing, a procedure in which the rough, exposed roots of these vulnerable teeth are made smooth to prevent plaque from settling there again in the future.
Antibiotic Therapy
In some cases, we need to apply a topical antibiotic to make sure that all the harmful bacteria have been eliminated temporarily. This treatment is painless and can allow your gums to heal and recover from the bacteria that cause harmful inflammation. In the end, antibiotic therapy aids in restoring your oral health after periodontal disease, giving you back a healthy, happy smile.
Periodontal Maintenance
So how can you prevent gum disease from happening or coming back? At minimum, you need to do the following:
- Visit our dental office in Goode twice every year for checkups and cleanings.
- Brush your teeth twice every day for two minutes at a time.
- Floss your teeth at least once every day.
To keep plaque and bacteria at bay, you can implement other healthy habits into your routine, including:
- Reducing your sugar intake.
- Using an antimicrobial mouthwash daily.
- Brushing your tongue daily.
- Drinking more water.