Gum Disease Treatment – Pasadena, TX
Protect Your Entire Smile from Gum Infections
Gum disease is the single most prevalent disease in America, affecting more people than heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's, and cancer combined. About 80% of the population has some form of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, periodontitis (the advanced form), and gingivitis (the mild form). Think you may be showing signs of gum disease? Call us today to learn more about gum disease treatment in Pasadena, TX.
Why Choose Pasadena Family Dentistry for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Gentle, Thorough Deep Cleanings
- Arestin Antibiotic Therapy Available
- Well-Trained, Friendly, Professional Staff
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is an infection of the gum and bone tissue that support teeth. It usually starts early in life and then progresses as a person ages. It all starts when plaque hardens into tartar (also called calculus) below the gumline. This irritates vulnerable soft tissues, and infection can set in. Combined with decaying food particles lodged between teeth and bacteria emitted by plaque, the infection can spread quickly. Symptoms are so mild in the early phase, many patients don't recognize them: red, tender, and swollen gums, as well as bleeding when brushing teeth.
Gum disease treatment in Pasadena, TX, is often necessary as the condition progresses. Gums recede from teeth and pockets of bacteria form, which can destroy gum tissue and bone, causing tooth and bone loss.
Why is Gum Disease so Serious?
Recent research reveals that gum disease is linked to an increased risk for major overall health problems, including but not limited to stroke, heart disease, respiratory problems, osteoporosis, diabetes complications, low birth weight, and most recently, dementia. Because of these findings, research continues. We may learn much more in the next few years.
It makes perfect sense, though, that gum disease is linked to overall health problems. Gum disease treatment in Pasadena is vital because everything that enters or is present in the mouth has access to the whole body. The mouth is like a portal to the body. That's why regular checkups and hygiene visits are vital to both oral and overall health.
Is Gum Disease Curable?
Unfortunately, gum disease is not curable. However, we can detect early warning signs of gum disease at your regular dental checkups. At this stage, prevention might be as simple as changing your brushing technique, improving your flossing routine, or changing the products you use for oral care at home.
We offer a range of gum disease treatments in Pasadena, TX, including:
- Scaling – to remove hardened plaque from below the gumline
- Root Planing – to reduce rough areas on teeth roots
- Antibiotic Therapy – to battle infection
- Surgery – advanced cases may require the care of a periodontist, in which case we will refer you to a trusted colleague
Also, expect to attend more frequent hygiene visits so that we can monitor your condition and make sure that recovery is on track. Contact Pasadena Family Dentistry today to schedule your first appointment with our doctors.
Scaling & Root Planing
Regular dental cleaning isn’t enough for treating gum disease; we’ll need to perform a deep cleaning procedure. The first step is scaling, which is when we gently remove plaque and tartar that have built up around and below the gumline. After that, root planing is performed to smooth out the roots of the teeth; this is done to lower the risk of future buildups, as bacteria have a harder time accumulating on smooth surfaces.
Arestin Antibiotic Therapy
After scaling and root planing, we may prescribe Arestin antibiotic therapy to fight any bacteria that are left over. We’ll apply a special powder to the pockets that have formed between the teeth and gums; said powder is made up of numerous microspheres filled with medication. Over time, the medication will be released from the microspheres, keeping bacteria levels under control and giving the mouth a chance to heal from the damage caused by gum disease.