Gum Disease Treatments in Dartmouth, MA
Are your gums sore and tender? Have you noticed any bleeding when brushing your teeth? If yes, you may have gum disease. Fortunately, there are a variety of treatment options available to address and prevent this common oral health issue.
At Hawthorn Family Dental, we combine experience and comprehensive treatment techniques to restore or maintain the health of your gums. Our goal is to always help prevent severe dental issues from occurring and promote your overall wellness. We have the expertise you can trust to handle even your challenging gum issues.
We serve residents of Dartmouth and the surrounding communities, and we are available for appointments from Monday to Saturday. If you're looking for gum disease treatments in Dartmouth, let us give you the relief you deserve. Schedule your appointment today!
CALL US: (508) 994-5443 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
What Is Gum Disease?
Periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease, is an infection of the gums. This condition occurs when bacteria in the mouth accumulate, causing tissue irritation. In the initial stages, gum disease can be easy to overlook. However, if left untreated, it can cause serious problems such as receding gums or bone loss in your jaws.
What's more, as periodontal disease accelerates, it can cause complications with illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease. Hormonal changes in pregnancy can also increase the risk of gum disease, and it has been linked to complications in pregnancy. Therefore, diagnosing and treating gum disease is crucial for maintaining your overall health.
How Can You Tell You Have Gum Disease?
Identifying gum disease is the first step to seeking Dartmouth periodontal treatment. In the initial stages, gum disease is subtle. However, over time, the symptoms grow in severity and can include:
- Swollen and tender gums
- Bleeding gums, especially when brushing and flossing
- Red or darkening gums
- Persistent bad breath, also known as halitosis
- Gum tissue sensitivity to hot or cold substances
- Receding gums
- Pain in the gums when chewing
What Should You Do If You Have Gum Disease?
If you suspect that you have gum disease, it is important to visit a dental professional for an accurate diagnosis. When you consult with our team at Hawthorn Family Dental, we can determine the cause of your symptoms and explore which of our Dartmouth periodontal treatments will effectively restore your oral health. If you are experiencing pain and discomfort in your gums, don't hesitate to book an appointment with our dentists.
Non-Surgical Gum Disease Treatments in Dartmouth
Our team is dedicated to providing a comprehensive selection of services to treat your gum issues and return your optimal oral health. We also do everything we can to make all our treatments as gentle and comfortable as possible. Our services include the following:
Professional dental cleaning is an integral part of regular dental appointments. The cleaning removes plaque and tartar that daily brushing, flossing, and mouthwash miss.
Plaque is soft, sticky, and forms a layer on the teeth and along the gum line. If the plaque builds up over time, it calcifies and hardens into tartar. The tartar also accumulates below the gum line, causing your gums to recede and gaps to form. Bacteria then feeds on the tartar and remnants of food, which causes inflammation in your gums and can lead to a tooth infection.
Scheduling a professional dental cleaning at least twice a year is a crucial step to preventing gum disease. Deep cleaning is also essential for treating gum disease because it removes harmful bacteria.
Usually, the earliest form of gum disease is gingivitis. It causes inflammation and bleeding of the gums. As it advances, it turns into periodontitis. Cleaning plaque and tartar remove the irritants, hence treating gingivitis.
Scaling and root planing is a treatment that removes tartar below the gum line. For this deep cleaning procedure, the dentist uses a local anesthetic. Scaling is the process of removing the tartar, and then root planing smooths the tooth root to help the gums reattach.
Medication is used in combination with other dental procedures to treat periodontal gum disease. Antibiotics are a common medication used to eliminate the bacteria causing a gum infection.
Our dental office uses ARESTIN® during scaling and root planing to treat gum disease. However, only your dentist or doctor can recommend the correct medication to ensure that you don't have an allergic reaction.
In some cases, gum disease can move to more advanced stages. With more complex cases, periodontal diseases can cause tissue deterioration, tooth loss, and jawbone loss. Hawthorn Family Dental has several Dartmouth gum disease treatment options to restore your oral health. However, should you have a particularly severe case, we can refer you to a trusted local specialist to get you the solutions you need.
Gum Disease Maintenance
After cleaning procedures to remove tartar and plaque, there are several measures you can take to ensure gum healing and health. Proper maintenance and oral hygiene are vital to avoid relapsing back into gingivitis.
It's important to take medications as recommended, clean your teeth as advised, and book regular appointments with our dentists for professional teeth cleaning.
Supporting Your Oral Health With Dartmouth Gum Disease Treatment
Your best defense against periodontal disease is prevention. However, when an infection happens, it's best to book an appointment with Hawthorn Family Dental to receive a professional diagnosis and a personalized care plan. If you're seeking treatment for gum disease in Dartmouth, contact us today to schedule your appointment.
CALL US: (508) 994-5443 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
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