Periodontal Therapy — Crookston, MN
Renew Oral Health Following Gum Disease
Periodontal (gum) disease is one of the most common oral health concerns in the US. While the early form of the disease, gingivitis, untreated cases can become much more damaging over time. In fact, the advanced form of gum disease, periodontitis, is the leading cause of tooth loss in US adults over the age of 35. A recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that more than 50% of adults in the US suffered from periodontitis. The first step to avoiding periodontal disease is diligent at-home hygiene. Each patient should floss their teeth at least once every day and brush for two minutes at a time at least two times daily. Additionally, visiting our dental office every six months gives our team the opportunity to diagnose and begin providing periodontal therapy in Crookston, MN as gingivitis before it becomes the more hazardous periodontitis. Some symptoms of gum disease include:
- Bleeding gums
- Red, white, or discolored gum tissue
- Inflamed, swollen, or infected gum tissue
- Gums that itch or hurt when touched
- Persistent bad breath even after cleaning
- Teeth that feel lose or a bite that doesn’t fit together well
Scaling & Root Planing
As periodontal disease progresses, we frequently recommend a combined therapy of increased hygiene visits, a deep cleaning known as scaling and root planing, and localized antibiotic therapy that removes plaque and tartar and prevents further buildup. Scaling is the systematic removal of plaque, tartar, and damaged tissue from the gums, and we generally recommend this treatment in conjunction with root planing, the smoothing of the tooth’s roots to prevent the future buildup of plaque and tartar.
Antibiotic Therapy
Bacteria excrete a sticky, acidic biofilm commonly referred to as plaque. While removing the plaque and tartar is beneficial, as long as bacteria continue to populate the area, more plaque will form. That’s why we often recommend topical antibiotic therapy in conjunction with any other gum disease treatments. These antibiotics are slowly released over time and minimize the amount of bacteria in the treated area preventing future buildup of plaque and tartar. We use Arestin antibiotic treatments in our dental office.
Contact Renu Dental right away if you experience any of the warning signs of periodontal disease. With early intervention, most patients are able to fully restore their oral health.