Gum Disease Treatment

Understanding Gum Disease

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an inflammatory condition affecting the tissues surrounding teeth. It begins with gingivitis, characterized by red, swollen gums that may bleed during brushing or flossing. Without proper intervention, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis, where the gums pull back from the teeth, forming pockets that become infected.

The central cause of gum disease is bacterial plaque—a sticky film that constantly forms on teeth. When plaque isn’t removed through regular brushing and flossing, it hardens into tartar or calculus, which can only be removed by professional cleaning. There are several factors that can increase your risk of developing gum disease, including:

• Poor oral hygiene habits
• Tobacco use
• Genetic predisposition
• Hormonal changes
• Certain medications
• Systemic diseases like diabetes
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Teeth grinding or clenching

Regular dental checkups are crucial for early identification, as gum disease can progress silently without apparent symptoms in its early stages of gingivitis. Many patients are surprised to learn they have developed periodontal disease because the initial symptoms can be subtle and painless.

Our Treatment Approach

At Simpson Dental, we offer customized treatment plans based on the severity of your condition. Our approach begins with a complete gum health assessment, including measuring pocket depths, checking for inflammation, and evaluating bone loss through digital imaging.

Early identification is critical for successful treatment outcomes. During your examination, we’ll use specialized dental instruments to measure the depth of the periodontal pockets around each tooth. Deeper pockets indicate more advanced stages of disease. We may also take digital X-rays to view your bone density levels and determine if there has been any bone loss due to the infection.

Non-Surgical Treatments

For mild to moderate gum disease, we typically recommend a non-surgical approach to your treatment, including scaling and root planing, and laser therapy. 

Scaling and Root Planing

This deep-cleaning procedure removes bacterial plaque and tartar above and below the gumline. Using specialized instruments, we carefully clean the root surfaces to remove bacteria and smooth areas where bacteria gather, helping your gums reattach to your teeth.

The procedure is often performed with local anesthesia to ensure your comfort. Depending on the degree of the disease, scaling and root planing may require multiple appointments to complete treatment for all quadrants of your mouth. Most patients notice minimal discomfort following the procedure and can resume normal activities immediately.

Laser Therapy

Our advanced CO2 laser technology lets us treat infected gum tissue precisely with minimal pain. This cutting-edge approach promotes faster healing by targeting only the diseased tissue while preserving healthy gum structure. Laser therapy can reduce bacteria, remove diseased tissue, and stimulate healthy gum regeneration with less bleeding and swelling than traditional methods.

The laser effectively sterilizes the area as it works, reducing bacteria levels and promoting tissue regeneration. Many patients prefer laser therapy because it often reduces the need for surgical intervention and results in quicker recovery times compared to conventional treatments.

Advanced Treatments

For more severe cases of periodontal disease, we may recommend antibiotic therapy and surgical interventions, including flap surgery, bone grafting, and gum grafting.

Antibiotic Therapy

We do a bacterial test to determine the antibiotics that will target the bacteria that you have in your mouth. 

Surgical Interventions

In more severe cases, surgical care may be suggested to restore damaged tissues and bone. These might include flap surgery to reduce pocket depth, bone grafting to regenerate lost bone, or gum grafting to cover exposed roots.

Maintaining Healthy Gums

Successful gum disease treatment requires continued maintenance and support. At Simpson Dental, we’ll work with you to build a personalized care plan, which may include:

Professional Maintenance

Regular periodontal maintenance appointments, typically every three to four months, allow us to track your gum health and provide professional cleanings to prevent disease recurrence. These visits are more comprehensive than standard cleanings and are essential for long-term success.

During these appointments, we’ll remove any new plaque and tartar growth, assess the health of your gums, measure pocket depths to ensure improvement, and provide guidance on enhancing your home care routine. Consistent maintenance is vital for preventing reinfection and protecting your oral health.

Home Care Guidance

We’ll also provide detailed instructions on proper brushing and flossing techniques and recommend tools such as interdental brushes, water flossers, or antimicrobial rinses based on your individual needs. Just as with professional maintenance, effective daily home care is essential for supporting the results of your treatment.

Buying an electric toothbrush can significantly improve plaque removal, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. Interdental brushes and water flossers can clean between teeth more effectively than traditional flossing for some patients. We may also suggest antimicrobial mouth rinses to help control bacteria between cleanings.

Long-Term Health Benefits of Gum Disease Treatment

Beyond preserving your natural teeth, effective periodontal therapy offers significant benefits for your overall health. According to the American Dental Association, gum disease is connected to several health conditions, including heart disease and diabetes. By controlling oral inflammation and infection, you may reduce your risk for these systemic conditions linked to gum disease. In addition, many patients report improvements in their breath freshness, confidence in their smile, and comfort when eating after successful treatment.

Addressing gum disease promptly can also be more cost-effective in the long run, helping you avoid expensive restorative procedures that might become necessary if tooth loss occurs. With proper treatment and maintenance, many patients can maintain their natural teeth for a lifetime.

Why Choose Simpson Dental for Gum Disease Treatment

Our in-office dental lab allows us to create custom restorations that fit well, look natural, and can be placed in a more timely manner. The lab also allows us to complete many procedures in a day, such as denture repairs, implant-supported teeth, and some other cosmetic treatments. We focus on treating the mouth as a part of the whole body because we understand the association between oral health and overall wellness.

At Simpson Dental, we combine advanced technology with compassionate care to provide effective gum disease treatment in a comfortable environment. Our team stays up-to-date with the latest innovations in periodontal therapy to deliver the most effective treatment options. If you’re suffering from symptoms of gum disease or it’s been a while since your last dental checkup, call us at (304) 342-6162 or use our contact form to schedule your appointment today.

Frequently Asked Questions about Gum Disease Treatment in Charleston, WV