It’s important to take care of your teeth for more reasons than just maintaining a pretty smile. If not properly cared for, your teeth can become wracked with disease and decay, potentially threatening your overall health.
At Atlanta West Dentistry, we can help you fight and prevent gum disease, to keep your mouth healthy. Continue reading below to learn more about gum disease, then call 770-744-4619 to set up an appointment at our Marietta, GA dentist office.
Signs & Symptoms of Gum Disease
If you pay close attention, you may notice one or more changes that could be the result of gum disease. If you spot any of the symptoms listed below, be sure to schedule an appointment at our Marietta, GA dental office as soon as possible to get assessed and treated, if necessary.
Signs and symptoms of gum disease include:
- Gums that bleed easily
- Red, inflamed, sensitive gums
- Gums that have pulled away from your teeth creating pockets
- Chronic bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
- Loose or shifting permanent teeth
- A change in your bite or the way your teeth come together
- A change in how your dentures fit
What Causes Gum Disease?
When diagnosed with gum disease, one of the first questions you might ask is “how did this happen?”
There are several factors that can contribute to gum disease and while sometimes it can be difficult to narrow down the exact cause, the most common contributing factors for gum disease include:
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Poor dental hygiene
- Family history of gum disease
- Misaligned or crowded teeth that are hard to clean
- Diabetes
- Certain prescription medications
How Is Gum Disease Treated?
You can rest assured you’re in good hands at Atlanta West Dentistry. When you visit our office, we will work with you to keep you happy and healthy by taking care of your smile. If we spot signs of gum disease, we will work efficiently to treat your symptoms and clear any infection taking over your teeth and gums.
We’ll use an advanced laser to ensure a faster recovery period and better overall results. We can also use one of our three available sedation options to keep you comfortable and relaxed throughout the treatment.
Treating Gum Disease With Laser Technology
At Atlanta West Dentistry, we’re big fans of laser technology because it gives us the ability to work efficiently and accurately thanks to its pinpoint precision. At our Marietta, GA dental office we use the DEKA CO2 laser to:
- Get rid of infected gum tissue
- Reduce bleeding
- Shorten your recovery period and speed up the healing process
- Reduce the chance of relapse for gum tissue connected to your tooth
Before we begin the treatment, we’ll numb the area using The Wand, which is a computer-operated device that will numb your mouth without the use of syringes. We find that our patients really like not having to face a needle!
Scaling & Root Planing To Gently Clean Your Gums
At Atlanta West Dentistry, our experienced team members can use scaling and root planing as “deep cleaning” gum disease treatment options. We typically use these two procedures to remove plaque and tartar that has built up underneath your gums and on the roots of your teeth.
If left untreated, the plaque and tartar buildup can lead to eventual jawbone decay and tooth loss.
Usually, we use scaling and root planing as the first resort to taking care of your gum disease issues before more complex damage has occurred.
In some cases, we’ll also send you home with a follow-up treatment that includes AO ProVantage Gel, CTx4 Gel 5000, or PreviDent fluoride gel. Then we’ll have you back to our Marietta, GA dentist office to see if more treatment is needed.
Call Your Marietta, GA Dentist Today
If you’re experiencing symptoms of gum disease, we encourage you to call our office to set up an appointment right away. The longer you forgo treatment, the worse your symptoms can get.
Even if you’re not experiencing any symptoms, it’s important to visit our office for regular dental cleanings to keep gum disease and tooth decay at bay.
To schedule an appointment, call Atlanta West Dentistry at 770-744-4619. You can also fill out our online form to request an appointment.