Gum disease is a common and serious dental ailment. Often presenting first as gingivitis with sore, swollen, or bleeding gums. If it’s not treated, it can progress to periodontitis – a more severe condition that can lead to loss of healthy gum tissue, weak support, and even loss of teeth.
Treatment of gum disease can include better oral health care habits, laser treatment to clean the gums, or even surgery. Spokane, Washington, dentist Dr. Richard Weigand explains more and helps find the right dentistry treatment near you.
Types of dental care for gum disease
The first step to treating gum disease is to prevent it. Proper brushing and flossing are important, as is getting help if you suspect a problem. For example, bleeding, sore, or inflamed gums are often a sign of infection. Additionally, teeth begin to look longer, or bad breath that just won’t go away are also potential red flags.
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If caught early, gum disease can be reversed with better oral care practices and non-invasive treatments, such as deep cleanings or medications. However, if left untreated, gum disease will not simply go away. It will continue to infect the gums, causing further problems for the patient. This is problematic not just for your dental health but also for your overall wellness, as gum disease has been linked to health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory ailments.
Laser therapy treatment
Even in advanced stages, gum disease can be treated. In many offices, advanced gum disease would require invasive gum surgery that could be painful and require days of recovery. Dr. Weigand offers laser gum surgery, using a new technology that removes the harmful infection and bacteria from deep below the patient’s gumline. It is effective in maintaining healthy tissue while eliminating gum disease. Unlike traditional gum disease, it does not require incisions or stitches, instead it utilizes a high-energy laser to resolve the gum disease.
Gum disease is a serious condition that should be treated by a trusted dentist. If your gums are sore or you believe that you have gum disease, call the office of Richard D. Weigand, DDS, at [phone] today to schedule a consultation.