Gum Disease Treatment – Los Angeles, CA
Soothe Your Swollen, Bleeding Gums
Gum disease is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults. It occurs when there’s an accumulation of harmful bacteria on your gums. The condition starts as gingivitis, which is characterized by irritation and inflammation of the gum tissue. Eventually, gingivitis can turn into periodontitis, causing pockets to form between the gums and teeth. The bacteria that gather in these pockets can destroy the tissue holding your teeth in place, making them loose. To avoid the worst consequences of gum disease, call Rancho Park Dental Care to set up a periodontal appointment to receive gum disease treatment in our Los Angeles, CA dental office at the earliest sign of a problem.
Why Choose Rancho Park Dental Care for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Convenient Accessible Dental Office Location
- Dentist with Over 20 Years of Experience
- Straightforward, Effective Periodontal Therapy
Scaling & Root Planing
Some of the bacteria contributing to gum disease can be difficult to reach with regular cleaning techniques. Instead, we employ a deep cleaning process known as scaling and root planing. Scaling is the removal of plaque, tartar, and bacteria from the gums, with particularly close attention being paid to the spaces between the gums and teeth. Root planing simply means smoothing out the roots of the teeth so that plaque doesn’t accumulate on them as easily in the future.
Do I Need Scaling & Root Planing?
If your gums have become infected with inflammation-causing bacteria, scaling and root planing treatment can help you stop gum disease from creating more trouble for your smile and the rest of your body. Uncontrolled, gum disease can lead not only to tooth and jawbone loss but also to a higher risk for heart disease, Alzheimer's, and even certain kinds of cancer. By taking away plaque from the deep pockets between your gums and teeth, we can keep these harmful bacteria from spreading and wreaking havoc on your health. If our team recommends this treatment, it is important to start as soon as possible to mitigate the risks of this disease.
The Process of Scaling & Root Planing
To the untrained eye, scaling may seem fairly similar to a standard teeth cleaning; however, we reach below the gumline to clear out trapped bacteria. Most of the time, we can access these pockets without surgical methods, but you will be given a local anesthetic. In this treatment, we will not make any incisions, but we may peel back loose gum tissue to reveal these pockets.
Tooth roots are naturally rough, but this kind of texture allows bacteria and plaque to build up. By making the exposed root surface smooth and slippery, plaque has a harder time sticking to it again.
Aftercare Tips for Scaling & Root Planing
For a couple of hours following the procedure, do not eat to avoid the risk of biting your tongue or cheek. Swish warm saltwater in your mouth every few hours to keep it clean and to help with any discomfort. As usual, make sure you brush and floss your teeth at least twice each day, but be extra careful around the treatment site because it could be tender for a few days. Depending on the extent of the infection, we may need to repeat scaling and root planing treatment every three to four months until it is under control.
Antibiotic Therapy
Using antibiotics in combination with scaling and root planing helps the gums heal more effectively. Our team favors Arestin for treating gum disease and reducing periodontal pocket depth. Many microspheres are placed in your gum pockets. Over time, they will release the antibiotic, killing any bacteria remaining in the gums. Arestin is normally used to directly fight the gum infection for about two weeks; additional treatments may be applied as needed after each scaling and root planing session.