Infections in your gums can cause bad breath, receding gums, pain and sensitivity in your teeth, and eventually tooth loss. Because your gum tissue doesn’t regenerate the same way as other soft tissues in your body, gum disease requires prompt treatment before there is irreversible damage. The dentists at Inspiration Dental in Riverview, FL, offer gum disease treatment using dental lasers to reduce patient discomfort and restore healthy gums and teeth.
Gum disease is caused by pathogenic bacteria in your mouth. As they feed, they form acids and a sticky biofilm known as plaque. The acids wear down tooth enamel and help plaque to stick in place, where it will harden and form tartar. Tartar acts as a protective barrier for the bacteria, and it’s impossible to remove without the help of a dentist. Meanwhile, these same bacteria produce swelling in the gums, which causes them to pull away from your teeth and allow the bacteria to hide in tiny pockets below your gum line.
In the early stage, gum disease is known as gingivitis. You may notice bad breath, swollen or red gums, or bleeding when you brush or chew certain foods. As the tartar forms under your gum line, the bacteria can infect the bone, ligaments, and soft tissues in your mouth, causing irreversible damage. This advanced form of gum disease is known periodontitis, and it is more difficult to treat.
Gum disease is preventable with good oral hygiene, routine dental cleanings, and with good eating habits. Even so, gum disease is one of the most common chronic conditions that affect adults, and the older you get, the more likely you’ll deal with it.Traditionally, gingivitis and periodontitis are treated using scaling and root planing. This treatment is a long, sometimes uncomfortable process where the dental team scrapes tartar and plaque from underneath your gum line. Dual-wavelength laser light therapy offers a more efficient alternative that doesn’t require any scraping or prodding in your gums.
Dental lasers can eliminate bacteria in gingival pockets and warm the cells responsible for healing to stimulate gum reattachment. Laser therapy can reverse periodontal disease and, in many cases, avoid the need for gum surgery. Once the infection is clear, our team will work with you to prevent gum disease from recurring and protect your smile for years to come. Contact our office in Riverview, FL, today at (813) 638-0313 to schedule an appointment and prevent complications from gum disease.