The primary cause of tooth loss for American adults, gum disease, often begins with mild symptoms, such as slight swelling, redness, tenderness, or bleeding of the gums. You and your family may have heard gum disease referred to as periodontal disease. The early stage is known as gingivitis, and advanced cases are called periodontitis. Gum disease has been linked to increased risk for heart attacks, strokes, pre-term and low-weight births, and diabetes complications. It can cause gum and jawbone deterioration, as well as tooth loss.
At Diamond Spring Dental Associates, our gentle hygienists offer periodontal therapy to stop gum disease, eliminate it, and reverse the effects. If we find that you or someone in your family have gum disease or are prone to contracting it, we will suggest one or more of these periodontal therapy techniques:
- Scaling – removing hardened plaque, called tartar or calculus, from below the gum line
- Root planing – smoothing root surfaces to reduce proclivity for plaque buildup
- Antibiotic treatment – to kill bacteria in gum pockets
- Surgery – to remove diseased and damaged tissue, which promotes new tissue growth
- Soft tissue grafts – to replace lost tissue and stimulate new tissue growth
- Bone grafts – to replace lost jawbone tissue
To learn more about gum disease and periodontal therapy in our patient library. Contact Diamond Springs Dental Associates in Denville, NJ if you or a family member notice symptoms of gum disease. We can help you and your family keep your smile and gums healthy for life!
Contact us for more information about gum disease and periodontal therapy or click here to schedule your consultation today.