GUM DISEASE TREATMENT - Gibsonia, PA

Treat Gum Disease to Protect Your Smile

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Healthy Smiles Require Healthy Gums

While everyone notices bright white teeth, gums are truly the unsung heroes of your mouth. Gum tissue provides the necessary foundation to hold your teeth in place and support the structure of your mouth. According to a 2021 study, gum disease (which is typically painless in early stages) affects nearly half of American adults aged 30 and older, which equates to an estimated 65 million people. Of the 47% of people with periodontal disease, 9% had a mild disease known as gingivitis, an estimated 30% had moderate forms, and 8.5% had periodontitis, the most advanced form.

According to a 2021 study, gum disease affects nearly half of American adults aged 30 and older

A wide array of factors can increase the risk of developing gum disease, some of which are preventable. The good news is that the skilled and caring dental team at Smile! Dental Center offers gentle yet highly effective gum disease treatment in Gibsonia, PA to restore your gums to optimal health and help you maintain a dazzling smile for years to come!

Gum Disease Warning Signs

Chronic bad breath (halitosis)
Red or swollen gums
Tender or bleeding gums
Painful chewing
Loose teeth
Sensitive teeth
Gums that have pulled away from your teeth
Change in bite
Change in the fit of partial dentures

Targeted Treatment to Prevent Advanced Gum Disease

When gum disease progresses to periodontitis, gums can pull away from your teeth, you may feel severe pain, and your teeth may loosen or fall out. In addition, numerous studies have linked gum disease to systemic health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, select male cancers, as well as diabetes and pregnancy complications. The great news is that gum disease is preventable—and curable in early stages! Proper oral hygiene at home, coupled with professional cleanings, can protect your pearly whites and prevent the long-term consequences of gum disease. Being aware of risk factors can help you take better care of your oral health and seek timely treatment.

Gum Disease Risk Factors

Crooked teeth
Autoimmune diseases
Defective fillings
Medications that cause dry mouth
Ill-fitting bridges
Female hormonal changes (e.g., pregnancy)

A Gentle and Minimally Invasive Approach

Dr. Jarrett Foust has advanced training and experience delivering gentle gum disease treatment in Gibsonia, PA, based on the severity of your stage of gum disease. Dr. Foust will assess your current oral health and create a customized treatment plan that reflects your unique needs. Depending on your treatment and anxiety level, we offer calming sedation dentistry to help you stay comfortable throughout your visit. With proper treatment, maintenance and good oral health habits, gum disease doesn’t have to damage your smile again. A bacteria- and infection-free smile will help you live an overall healthier, happier life!

While we always do our best to save all of your natural teeth, advanced gum disease can result in bone and tooth loss. If you end up losing teeth to gum disease and need dental implants, you couldn’t be in better hands. As a graduate of the prestigious Misch International Implant Institute and Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, Dr. Foust is one of the area’s leading dental implant providers. At Smile! Dental Center, we offer a variety of natural-looking and highly durable dental implant solutions for a flawless appearance that can last a lifetime!

Our Gum Disease Treatments

Scaling and Root Planing

This two-step nonsurgical procedure (also called “deep cleaning”) is performed when spaces between your gums and teeth are too deep for a regular dental cleaning to reach. During scaling, we remove plaque, bacterial toxins and tartar deposits not only from your teeth, but also below the gumline on root surfaces. During root planning, the rough root surfaces are smoothed out to prevent bacteria, plaque and tartar from re-adhering underneath your gumline. This also decreases gum tissue inflammation, enabling your gums to heal and reattach more firmly to your teeth.

Periodontal Maintenance

After you’ve undergone scaling and root planing, regular periodontal maintenance visits are necessary to maintain healthy gums and prevent gum disease recurrence. With periodontal maintenance, we go a little deeper, cleaning slightly below the gumline to remove plaque and tartar buildup. Harmful, disease-causing bacteria can reform underneath your gums as early as one to two months after a deep cleaning. This is why we recommend returning every three to four months for regular deep cleanings.

Gingivectomy

When gingivitis hasn’t responded adequately to the scaling and root planing procedure, a gingivectomy is performed to treat gum disease. During a gingivectomy, Dr. Foust removes a small portion of gingiva (gum tissue) with a diode laser from in and around your teeth. Gingivectomy is also done to lengthen the height or width of teeth to remedy a gummy smile, or if more of a tooth needs to be uncovered to support a crown. The benefits of laser gingivectomy include rapid recovery, less pain and downtime, and a better overall experience.

Peri-implantitis Treatment

Poor oral hygiene and/or a lack of regular cleanings can lead to this destructive bacterial infection, which impacts the area around dental implants. To prevent peri-implantitis, it’s important to follow all of our instructions after getting a dental implant. In the early stages, you may experience swollen gums, mild bleeding and pain around a dental implant. If left untreated, this can lead to detachment of the gum and soft tissues that surround the dental implant and pocket formation—similar to gum disease. In early stages, Dr. Foust will use a laser to detoxify implant surfaces and control plaque. If gum tissue or bone has been lost, this can be regenerated with grafting techniques.

If you’re experiencing bleeding gums or another symptom, don’t delay!

Schedule a gum disease consultation to protect your smile and quality of life.

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