Maintaining great oral health isn’t just about keeping your teeth strong and healthy –— it’s also about taking care of the structures that surround and support your teeth, such as the gum tissue. Gum disease (also known as periodontal disease) is the number one cause of tooth loss among adults in America, and we’re always on the lookout for it here at Sage Dental Care. If necessary, Dr. Branco and Dr. Kim can provide focused gum disease treatment that banishes infection and protects your valuable smile from future harm. Contact either our South or North Reno, NV, location today to schedule your first appointment, or if you have any questions that our team can help you with.
Gum disease is essentially an infection of the soft tissue that surrounds the base of the teeth. In its earliest stage, gingivitis, it is relatively minor. As it progresses into periodontitis, it can cause permanent damage to the gums and underlying bone tissue.
Poor oral hygiene is often a major contributor to gum disease, but genetics and other factors can also play a role in its development. It tends to be more common among seniors than among younger people.
Gingivitis can cause multiple symptoms, including:
Periodontitis can cause the same symptoms as gingivitis, but it is more severe. It can also lead to:
There are a few different ways to address gum disease. Some minor cases can be reversed via changes to your at-home oral care routine. Other cases require professional treatment. Depending on the severity of your case, we might recommend one or more of the following:
Scaling and root planing is a gentle, non-surgical gum disease treatment in Reno designed to stop infection in its tracks and protect your smile. Our team uses gentle techniques to clean your teeth below your gumline and smooth the roots to make it harder for bacteria to return. If you’re experiencing moderate to severe symptoms of gum disease, scaling and root planing can help you take the first step back to great oral health.
Many patients who suffer from gum disease can benefit from scaling and root planing. You may be a candidate if your gums bleed easily, look red or puffy, or have started to pull away from your teeth.
Gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, can often be reversed with better oral care practices. However, when the condition advances to periodontitis, scaling and root planing may be necessary to get your oral health back on track.
Scaling and root planing is usually completed over one or two visits, depending on how much of your mouth is affected.
First, we’ll perform scaling by using special instruments to gently remove plaque and tartar from around and beneath your gumline.
Next, we smooth your tooth roots via root planing, so bacteria can’t stick around, and your gums can reattach more easily. In many cases, we’ll also use our dental laser to gently disinfect the pockets and support faster healing.
During your treatment, our team will ensure that your gums are numbed, so you don’t feel any pain. Once the procedure is completed and your gums heal, your mouth will feel cleaner, fresher, and more comfortable than ever.
After scaling and root planing, your gums may feel slightly tender or sensitive for a few days, which is normal. Try to plan your menu around soft foods at first, and avoid smoking, vaping, or drinking alcohol. You should also brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush, gently scrubbing along your gumline.
If your gums feel sore, warm saltwater rinses can soothe the ache and help heighten healing. Lastly, keep up with your follow-up visits at our Reno dental office, so we can monitor your progress and keep gum disease from coming back.
Our team may prescribe a course of antibiotics to help your body fight off harmful oral bacteria. The medications we use have a track record of playing an important role in our efforts to get gum disease under control and restore our patients’ oral health. We often combine antibiotics with other treatments.
A dental laser is an incredibly precise tool that can kill harmful bacteria on contact and restore your oral health. With this remarkable innovation, our dentists can remove diseased tissue and treat deep periodontal pockets with care and precision. When compared to traditional methods, laser gum disease treatment also reduces discomfort and accelerates the healing process for patients.
Laser gum disease treatment is usually performed after scaling to ensure your teeth and gumline are free of plaque and tartar. Then, we use a carefully concentrated beam of light to sweep the infected periodontal pockets around your teeth.
The laser uses precise frequencies that are pre-programmed to target and destroy harmful bacteria while removing diseased gum tissue. Because it’s so focused, it leaves more healthy tissue intact and helps your gums reattach to the tooth roots.
In many cases, this technique reduces the need for scalpels and stitches, making your gum disease treatment more comfortable from start to finish.
Laser gum disease treatment in North Reno offers several advantages over traditional methods, including:
After your laser periodontal treatment, you’ll need to follow a few simple guidelines to support healing and keep your recovery as smooth as possible.
