Gum Disease Treatment – Tucson, AZ
Don’t Overlook Swollen or Bleeding Gums
The most common symptoms of early gum disease – such as red, swollen tissues, or bleeding whenever you brush or floss – are easy to dismiss as just minor issues that can be ignored. Unfortunately, leaving the problem alone for too long can easily lead to an advanced infection that can cause tooth loss and spread throughout your bloodstream. Get in touch with Dr. Lopez right away if your gum health is in doubt; the periodontal disease treatment at his Tucson, AZ dental office could very well save your smile.
Why Choose Jay R. Lopez, DDS, PC for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Highly Educated, Experienced Dentist
- Wide Array of In-House Treatments
- Biolase Diode Laser for Pain-Free Care
What is Gum Disease?
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is an oral health issue that involves an infection in the gum tissue that holds your teeth in place. The early stage of this complication is also known as gingivitis, which comes with various mild symptoms that can oftentimes be alleviated or reversed with simple oral hygiene techniques and dental checkups and cleanings. If left untreated, it can progress into periodontitis, which can bring about some severe negative effects on your smile and can only be managed thereafter.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Our team will be able to thoroughly evaluate your oral health to check for any indications of gum disease during your dental checkup. That said, you might be able to notice certain symptoms that are more obvious on your own, such as:
- Gums that are more swollen or redder than normal
- Occasional bleeding in the gums after brushing or flossing
- Teeth that appear longer because of gum recession
- Permanent teeth that have started to feel loose
- Changes in the way your teeth fit together
Saliva Testing
We can perform an OralDNA® MyPerioPath test to check for the harmful pathogens that lead to gum disease. A sample of your saliva is taken for examination. The results will tell us exactly what kind of bacteria is causing your gum disease. This is crucial for prescribing the correct form of antibiotics, as some medications may be more effective in some cases than others. This is also a useful tool for predicting how susceptible a patient might be to gum disease in the future.
How Do We Treat Gum Disease?
We will generally determine the specific and most viable kind of treatment based on the severity of your situation. After we’ve been able to thoroughly assess your mouth and condition, we can begin planning the best way to address your periodontal disease issue. Below are some of the methods we can utilize to help you regain stronger and healthier gum tissue.
Scaling & Root Planing
Some gum disease is too advanced for traditional cleaning techniques. With the scaling and root planing process, we’ll focus on removing bacteria and plaque buildup from the gums – specifically in the small spaces between the tissue and the teeth. Afterward, we’ll very gently smooth out the roots to create a surface that bacteria can’t cling to as easily, increasing the chances of the gum tissue successfully healing and reattaching to the teeth.
Arestin® Antibiotic Treatment
Arestin microspheres can be placed in the periodontal pockets between the teeth and gums to fight bacteria that are hiding deep within the tissue. Over time, small amounts of medication will be released from the spheres, allowing it to continually fight the infection. We might prescribe Arestin therapy as a supplement to scaling and root planing or other periodontal treatments; this has been found to dramatically improve the mouth’s ability to heal in the weeks following therapy.
Laser Periodontal Treatment
A dental laser can quickly kill off much of the bacteria causing gum disease and even be used to remove infected tissue that is beyond treatment – all while causing a minimal amount of bleeding and discomfort. Our Biolase Diode Laser is so gentle that an anesthetic might not even be required; we can quickly and efficiently treat your infected gums while you stay completely relaxed.