The health of your gums is extremely important to your overall health. Unhealthy gums can lead to other issues such as heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, pregnancy complications, not to mention the number one reason for tooth loss in adults! Gum disease comes from harmful bacteria residing in dental plaque that sticks to your teeth. It is extremely important that this plaque is cleaned off on a regular basis through brushing and flossing. Gum disease starts with minor symptoms such as bleeding or swollen, inflamed tissue. It can then advance to the point where it becomes very painful if it goes untreated. Seeing your dentist for regular check ups is a great way to prevent gum disease from occurring or addressing the problem as early on as possible.
Treating Gum Disease
In order to best treat our patients with gum disease, Dr. Moos with do a thorough exam of your teeth and gum tissues. This will allow us to determine the most cost effective way to treat your stage of gum disease.
One of the most common, straight-forward ways to remove the harmful bacteria adhered to the root surfaces of your teeth is through a cleaning technique called Scaling and Root Planing. This technique goes below the gumline where a toothbrush cannot clean. It smooths the root surface of the tooth which in turn removes the harmful bacteria causing the problem and also leaves the tooth less likely to harbor those bacteria in the future. An additional technique that can be added for even more of a thorough cleaning is the use of our Soft Tissue Laser.
If Dr. Moos determines that it is in your best interest to seek surgical therapy for advanced gum disease we will walk you through your options to seek specialized care outside our facility.