Gum Disease Treatment Londonderry
Healthy Gums Means Healthier Smiles
Having healthy gum tissue is important if you want to maintain a long-lasting smile. Its ability to keep teeth in place while also safeguarding tooth roots makes it just as important as your pearly whites. This is why our dentists at Miles of Smiles provide gum disease treatment in Londonderry when infection occurs. Offering scaling and root planing to target bacteria and encourage gum reattachment, we help to improve common symptoms of bleeding, inflammation, and tenderness to create healthier gums. If you suspect that you may have gum disease, call us to schedule an appointment today.
Why Choose Miles of Smiles for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Convenient Morning & Weekend Appointments Available
- One-Stop Shop for Oral Healthcare Needs
- We Welcome Your Dental Insurance
The Dangers of Gum Disease
Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the gums that starts as plaque, an opaque film on the teeth that hardens to form tartar. As tartar accumulates, it harbors bacteria that attack the soft tissue around the gums. This is the early stage of gum disease known as gingivitis. Left untreated, gingivitis becomes periodontitis, which ultimately destroys the tissue surrounding your teeth and the bone that holds your teeth in place. Except for bad breath and gums that bleed, there are very few early warning signals. The disease advances silently, often without pain, and before you know it, you are losing your teeth, and you don't know why.
Tooth loss is only the most obvious indicator of gum disease. Scientific research has discovered a link between gum disease and stroke, heart disease, diabetes - even an increased risk for pregnant people. When your gums become diseased, your entire immune system is weakened.
Scaling & Root Planing
If gum disease progresses past the earliest stages, patients may benefit from scaling and root planing. The difference between scaling and root planing is simple. Scaling is the removal of the dental tartar from the tooth surface. Root planing is the process of smoothening the root surfaces and removing the infected tooth structure.
As a non-surgical gum disease treatment method, scaling and planing might be performed without any anesthesia, in our dental office. While the procedure is usually painless, advanced stages of gingivitis may make it necessary to numb the area for complete comfort. Deep scaling and root planing is usually broken down into one section of the mouth per appointment. This allows for adequate healing time and reduces the time for each appointment.