Periodontal (Gum) Disease Treatment – Bonita Springs, FL
Comfortable Care for Gums in Need
The teeth get a lot of attention in the world of dentistry, but the unsung hero of your smile is your gums! These tissues provide valuable support and protection for your pearly whites, and without proper oral hygiene, they can develop an infection known as periodontal disease. What's important to understand is that periodontal disease isn't just bad news for your oral wellbeing. Its presence can increase your risk of experiencing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, strokes, and other systemic health problems.
If you or a loved one is experiencing red, swollen, or bleeding gums, Dr. Melanie Pugh and our team can put someone’s oral health back on track with gentle, high-quality treatments that are specifically designed to tackle this type of problem. Our skillful team is eager to help, so contact us today to schedule an appointment!
Why Choose Melanie Pugh, DMD, PA for Periodontal (Gum) Disease Treatment?
- Light-Touch Deep Cleanings That Remove the Source of Infection
- We’ll Only Recommend What You Need to Get Better
- Highly-Experienced Team That Has Served Bonita Springs Since 2006
Scaling & Root Planing
If we notice that a patient is showing the early signs of periodontal disease, we’ll recommend that they undergo a scaling and root planing treatment, which we sometimes call a “deep cleaning.” This approach involves removing any plaque and tartar buildup on the roots of the teeth that is the source of the infection (scaling) and then smoothing out the rough surfaces of the tooth roots (root planing). This second step allows the gums to heal quickly and firmly reattach to the teeth, lowering the risk of future infections.
Arestin® Antibiotic Therapy
Periodontal disease can cause small pockets of bacteria to form between the teeth and gums, and these can be virtually impossible to clean with scaling and root planing alone. Thankfully, we have another strategy, which involves applying an antibiotic called Arestin directly to the gums. On contact, Arestin quickly dries, and then it slowly dissolves over the next few days. It continually bathes the gums with a powerful medicine, enabling it to reach the bottom of even the deepest pockets and eliminate any leftover bacteria.
The Risks of Undiagnosed Periodontal Disease
Initially, periodontal disease is just annoying—no one likes dealing with sensitive or swollen gums! Over time, however, the consequences of not treating it become much more serious. It drastically increases the risk of tooth loss, which itself can cause problems associated with eating, digestion, and your appearance. Also, as we touched on above, several studies have shown that those with periodontal disease have higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s disease compared to the general population. This is why we look for the early signs of gum disease at every checkup and tell our patients to contact us as soon as they notice symptoms.