Your gums are the foundation for healthy, beautiful teeth. If you don’t take care of them properly, you may develop gingivitis and even periodontitis, which can eventually lead to tooth decay and loss. Luckily, there are many ways to effectively prevent and treat various stages of gum disease even when regular brushing and flossing can’t do the trick.

Do I Have Gum Disease?

Some telltale signs of gum disease include swollen and red gums, bleeding gums especially after brushing, tooth sensitivity, and bad breath. If you have any of these symptoms, it is best to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible to discuss your treatment options and prevent periodontitis.

Types of Gum Therapy

At Jackson Smiles Family Dentistry, you have a few different options when it comes to gum therapy.

1. Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planning are fancier terms for a deep cleaning, and it is a non-surgical treatment. First, we will diligently remove any plaque and tartar build-up both above and below the gum line. We will then clean the roots of your teeth to eliminate any potential bacteria growth in that area.

2. Arestin® Topical Gum Treatment

No scraping or drilling here. Arestin® is an antibiotic topical medicine that we can apply straight onto your gums to kill bacteria over the course of three weeks. We often apply Arestin® after a scaling and planing session in order to provide a more powerful and effective treatment.

3. Laser Gum Therapy

This is a non-surgical and non-invasive procedure that allows us to target problem areas and immediately remove damaged tissue. Laser gum therapy is a quick and comfortable procedure that delivers very long-lasting results.

If you have the symptoms of gum disease, know that there are many comfortable, safe, and effective treatment options available to you that will get your smile back in shape in no time.