Overcome Gum Disease with Effective Periodontal Therapy

We’ll never tire of telling you to brush twice daily and floss at least once every day to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Unfortunately, if you slack in your oral hygiene care, you’ll put your dental health at risk of gum disease. Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease can result in numerous symptoms, including swollen gums, receded gums, and tooth loss.

Gum disease therapy at Eagle Family Dental in Arlington, Washington, involves preventing, diagnosing, and treating gum infections.We try as much as possible to avoid periodontal disease, but in the unfortunate case it develops, we offer effective treatments to reinvigorate your gum health.

How gum disease develops

Although hormonal changes and medical conditions like diabetes can put you at risk of gum disease, plaque is the leading cause of periodontal disease. Dental plaque — a colorless, thin film of bacteria — accumulates daily but is easily removable with brushing and flossing.

However, poor dental hygiene leads to plaque build-up, which becomes a breeding ground for harmful bacteria that inflame your gum tissues. Periodontal disease develops in stages. The early form of gingivitis occurs when plaque builds up on your teeth, causing mild symptoms like bleeding, swelling, and redness. 

When gingivitis isn’t treated, it advances into periodontitis. At this stage, your gums start pulling away from your teeth, creating periodontal pockets that can’t be cleaned without the help of a hygienist. When you don’t take action at this stage, the infection “eats away” the gingival ligaments and teeth-supporting bone, resulting in tooth loss. 

Treating gum disease

The type of periodontal treatment needed varies depending on the stage of gum infection. Gingivitis, a mild form of gum infection, can be reversed by maintaining good oral hygiene and regular dental cleanings. However, for advanced gum disease, additional intervention from a dentist may be necessary.

After diagnosing you with gum disease, our doctors may recommend the treatments below.

  • Deep teeth cleaning: This treatment involves scaling and root planing. Scaling effectively eliminates plaque and tartar from beneath the gum line, extending to the tooth roots. Root planing smoothes the tooth roots to prevent reinfection. Deep teeth cleaning eliminates gum disease and promotes the regeneration of healthy tissues. 
  • Antibiotic therapy: We can recommend oral or topical antibiotics to keep your infection under control.

Advanced periodontitis may require surgical interventions like grafting and gum flap surgery to restore your healthy gums. We’ll work together to get you the best dental care to reestablish your healthy smile.

Preventing gum disease

When it comes to oral health, it’s not just how white or straight your teeth are — your gum health matters, too. You may have perfect teeth, but your entire smile will be in jeopardy if the foundation (gums) is shaky.

Our dental office is all about preventive dental care. While gum disease is serious, the good news is that it’s preventable. 

Here are a few ways to keep your gums in great shape.

  • Floss daily
  • Brush twice daily
  • Consider an antibacterial mouthwash
  • Adhere to bi-annual dental cleanings
  • Avoid tobacco products
  • Keep your mouth hydrated
  • Manage underlying conditions like diabetes and HIV that can predispose you to gum disease

Whether your periodontal disease is mild or severe, we offer the best gum therapy to restore gum health. Call (360) 322-1251 to schedule your appointment with Eagle Family Dental. You need optimal dental health, so call us today to get yours on track!