04
Sep
What are Your Options for Gum Disease Treatment?
It’s no secret that preventive dental care will contribute to healthier gums and teeth. Problems with decay and gum disease can be greatly reduced through routine checkups and cleanings. At Aztec Family Dental in Aztec, New Mexico, we pay close attention to your gum health, as periodontal disease can have a devastating impact on your smile. In this post, Dr. James Durfey answers common questions about gum disease and provides tips to protect oral health.
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is an infection of your gum tissues caused by plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth. Left untreated, this infection can cause extensive damage to your gums and teeth, causing them to weaken and fall out.Â
What are some common periodontal disease symptoms?
Early gum disease symptoms are often mild, making them easy to miss. Your gums may turn red, and you may notice slight bleeding when you brush your teeth. As the infection spreads, however, these symptoms will increase. Advanced gum disease can cause inflammation, tenderness, pain, and bleeding. Periodontal pockets with pus may form around your teeth. Over time, receding gums can lead to loose teeth, misalignment, and eventual tooth loss.
How is gum disease diagnosed?
Dr. Durfey can detect early gum disease during a routine dental exam. Symptoms can often be reversed by improving oral care at this stage. When you forgo dental visits, this problem can get out of hand. When you notice the symptoms, periodontal disease may already have caused irreparable damage to your gums or teeth.
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New Patients: (505) 390-1117 | Existing Patients: (505) 334-2000
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How is periodontal disease treated?
Dr. Durfey and our team offer the following options for gum disease treatment to restore your tooth and gum health:Â
Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) – Deep cleaning removes plaque and tartar buildup below the gum line of your teeth. Dr. Durfey can thoroughly cleanse your teeth of all infections down to the roots using hand-held dental tools or an ultrasonic instrument. Root planing entails smoothing out your tooth roots to keep bacteria from gathering there again. This gives gum tissues a chance to reattach to your teeth and heal.
Antibiotics – Depending on the severity of your condition, we may use antibiotics to manage the infection before deep cleaning.Â
Gingival flap surgery – Severe periodontal disease may require flap surgery treatment. This entails cutting your gums and pulling back sections of gum tissue to cleanse your tooth roots and eliminate infected gum tissue. We’ll then reposition your gums and suture them again.
Do gum disease treatments hurt?
We’ll numb your mouth for deep cleaning and surgical gum procedures, so you don’t have to fear pain or discomfort. We’ll do our best to help you feel comfortable and relaxed for your treatment.
Who offers gum disease treatment near me?
If you live in or near Aztec, NM, you can contact Dr. James Durfey from Aztec Family Dental at (505) 390-1117 to schedule pain-free gum disease treatment.