Gum Disease Treatment From A Phoenix Periodontist

Woman covers her mouth due to gum disease
Woman covers her mouth due to gum disease
A women covers her mouth due to embarrassment of periodontal disease.

Gum disease (known as periodontal disease or periodontitis) is serious.  It is not only ugly and painful, but it can permanently alter the gums and bones in the mouth.  If you feel you may be suffering from gum disease, consult with a periodontist in Phoenix to learn about treatment options.

What Are the Signs of Gum Disease?

Usually, periodontal disease is caused by the gradual influx of plaque (bacteria and food particles) around the teeth and gums.

Because gum disease often begins in this way, it’s growth usually doesn’t show symptoms in the earliest stages.  Once infection sets in, symptoms include reddened, swollen, sensitive and/or bleeding gums. Sometimes this is painful.  Later symptoms of this disease is a loosened tooth (or teeth), which indicates the bacterial infection has severely damaged the supporting bone around the teeth, and the gum ligaments holding them in place.  At this point, tooth loss is a discrete possibility.

How to Treat Gum Disease

The primary treatment of periodontal disease is to remove all bacteria from the mouth.  This technique often takes several sessions because as the gums respond to the treatment, they become less swollen.  As they shrink, they reveal more plaque and tartar to be removed.

Fortunately, less severe cases of periodontitis are less invasive.  Severe cases of periodontitis may require oral surgery. Some techniques for removing plaque and tartar include:

  • Scaling – For infected surfaces that are at or just beneath the gum line, we use specialized instruments called scalers to manually remove the bacteria.
  • Root planing – If the infection has reached the roots of the teeth, we use this technique, which involves shaving plaque from the surfaces of the roots.
  • Surgery –  When more severe bacteria has infected deeper levels of the gums, it becomes difficult to reach.  This may require a surgical procedure that involves making incisions into the gum to access the deepest level of the roots.  Once the area has been carefully cleansed of infection, special techniques are used to help the gum regenerate and reattach.

Who Do I Contact for Treatment?

If you feel you may be at risk of gum disease, it is best to attack this disease as early on as possible.  Rather than visiting a general dentist, we urge you to visit a periodontist. Our specialists are trained to address this type of malady and can provide expert care while offering maximum comfort.  Instead of fearing for your health and safety, you can feel at ease with the Arizona Periodontal Group.

If you would like information about treating periodontitis, please contact us for a consultation.

Elderly couple hugging on couch

Pinhole Gum Surgery Is Better for Patients

Gum disease is one of the most common oral health problems, affecting millions of people around the world. It can lead to pain, bleeding gums, and even tooth loss. However, with the latest advancements in dental technology, there are now[…]

Read More

Elderly couple hugging and smiling on a bridge

Smile Brightly with Dental Implants!

Few things can bring joy quite like a dazzling, sparkling smile. Unfortunately, tooth loss or decay can cause a person to lose their ability to flash a wide grin. Thankfully, dental implants can help restore the confidence of those who[…]

Read More

Man in a dental chair smiling at the periodontist

IV Conscious Sedation Dentistry: Understanding Its Benefits for Oral Health

Oral health has many effects on your overall health. If you have problems with your teeth and gums, you may have an increased risk of heart problems. For example, endocarditis can develop if bacteria from your teeth travel to your[…]

Read More