Gum Disease Treatment – Westbury, NY
Keep Your Soft Tissues Happy and Healthy
Gum disease is an insidious oral health menace that may be difficult to detect at first, but it will eventually lead to tooth loss and a host of other nasty consequences if left untreated. Thankfully, gum disease treatment from our Westbury office can eliminate infectious material from your soft tissues and help them reintegrate with your teeth to prevent future infections. Here’s a quick look at how gum disease treatment works, but please feel free to contact the staff at Westbury Dental Spa if you’d like to learn more.
Why Choose Westbury Dental Spa for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Comfortable and Organized Treatment Environment
- Experienced and Compassionate Dentists
- Dental Insurance Welcomed
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease begins as gingivitis, which is mild inflammation that can usually be reversed with improved oral hygiene habits. Unfortunately, unresolved gingivitis will eventually develop into periodontitis, which is a destructive condition that causes permanent damage. Gum disease is more common among men, smokers, and those living below the federal poverty level, and it is associated with an increased risk of serious medical conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Gingivitis can often show itself through symptoms like:
- Chronic bad breath (halitosis)
- Swollen or red gums
- Bleeding during brushing or flossing sessions
- Tenderness of the gums
- Mild gum recession
Periodontitis, on the other hand, leads to symptoms like:
- Painful chewing
- Looseness of adult teeth
- Dental sensitivity
- Changes in bite alignment
- Changes in how restorations like dentures and bridges fit
- Irreversible tooth loss
How Do We Treat Gum Disease?
The process of treating gum disease begins with an appointment at Westbury Dental Spa so one of our dentists can evaluate the problem and determine an appropriate solution. Based on our team’s findings, we may recommend:
Scaling & Root Planing
This process is typically completed in two appointments that go like this:
- Scaling: During the first appointment, our dentist will use specialized tools to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and the pockets of the gums.
- Root planing: About two weeks later, our dentist will carefully remove infectious accumulations from the roots of the teeth and gently smooth them out so they can more easily reintegrate with the soft tissues.
Laser Periodontal Treatment
In some cases, we can use precise surgical lasers to make the scaling and root planing process more efficient and comfortable. Surgical lasers can be used to remove infectious tissue from the gums without the stress that comes with conventional cutting instruments like scalpels, which can set the patient up for a smoother and more pleasant healing process.