Gum Disease Treatment – Buckhead

Risk Factors for Gum Disease & Preventive Maintenance

Gum disease occurs when plaque and tartar buildup at the gum line irritates and destroys soft tissue. Poor oral hygiene is the leading cause of gum disease, so maintaining proper at-home hygiene and visiting us for twice annual professional teeth cleanings are the best way to prevent gum disease. However, there are some other risk factors to keep in mind, including:

• Smoking – due to the increased tartar production associated with smoking and tobacco use, those who use tobacco are at much greater risk for gum disease.
• Diet – consuming sugary or acidic foods frequently will increase the production of plaque, making it more difficult for you to remove all of the plaque from your teeth during daily hygiene and increasing chances for gum disease.
• Genetics – some people have a larger number of plaque-producing bacteria, especially those associated with gum disease, making it more difficult for them to avoid periodontal disease. We may need to work with these patients to use specialized products to decrease the number of oral bacteria.

Warning Signs of Gum Disease

In the earliest stages, gingivitis, the signs of gum disease are subtle, and they can often go unnoticed by the untrained eye. That’s why it’s so important to visit our dental office for regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings. As gum disease enters the more advanced periodontitis stage, you will likely begin to see more noticeable warning signs, including:

• Bleeding gums
• Swollen or inflamed soft tissue
• Red, purple, or otherwise discolored gums
• Infection or sores along the gum line
• Teeth that shift or a bite that doesn’t seem to fit together
• Chronic bad breath

Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling and root planing treatment is the first line of defense against early-stage gum disease. This is the cleaning and removal of plaque, bacterial toxins and calculus from your teeth and root surfaces, as well as gum pocket irrigation.

Antibiotic Therapy

As part of your periodontal therapy regimen, Dr. Pate may choose to apply an antibiotic directly under the infected gums to help suppress or eradicate harmful bacteria and to support healing. This antibiotic consists of thousands of tiny microspheres, each filled with a highly potent antimicrobial agent. It will initially harden into a wax-like texture slowly dissolve over the next few days, which will allow the medicine to reach even the deepest, most hidden bacteria.