Comprehensive and Effective Treatment for Periodontal Disease in All Its Stages

While periodontal disease is common, it is still a significant health concern. The condition, which develops due to a buildup of oral bacteria, can cause a number of symptoms. Mild cases may result in slight discomfort or bad breath, but more severe cases can lead to gum recession or even tooth loss. Fortunately, at PQ Family Dental, Dr. Tim Belnap and Dr. W. Brandon Jergensen can effectively treat gum disease at any stage. At our Rancho Peñasquitos and Ramona, CA, offices, we offer a range of treatments to treat periodontal disease. Scaling and root planing, also known as a deep cleaning, is one of the most effective treatment options for moderate periodontitis. Through guidance and preventive care, we can also lay the groundwork to prevent future infections, thereby protecting your long-term oral health.

What Is Periodontal Disease?

If you have developed periodontal disease, it is due to an excess amount of oral bacteria. Initially, these microbes will gather on the surface of your soft tissues. This condition, called gingivitis, is mild and curable. It causes relatively minor symptoms, such as slight sensitivity, redness, and, occasionally, minimal bleeding. However, if you do not seek treatment in time, the bacteria will multiply. Soon they will form pockets deeper in your gums. As the microbes continue to spread, these pockets will grow larger, causing your gum tissue to recede. This process can cause significant discomfort, pronounced bleeding, and chronic bad breath. Eventually, the pockets may grow so large that they cause your soft tissues to pull away from your tooth roots. At this point, you could suffer significant tooth loss and, eventually, jawbone recession.

Preventing Periodontal Disease

Of course, the most effective treatment for gum disease is to prevent it from developing in the first place. To that end, it is essential that you maintain good oral hygiene. You should brush and floss daily and make regular visits to the dentist. Routine cleanings can help keep bacteria at bay. Additionally, biannual examinations can help your dentist diagnose gingivitis when it is still easily treatable. A healthy diet is also important. You should avoid eating too much sugar or foods with simple starches, since these substances can wear down the enamel on your teeth, allowing bacteria to accumulate.

Of course, the most effective treatment for gum disease is to prevent it from developing in the first place. To that end, it is essential that you maintain good oral hygiene.

Treatment for Periodontal Disease

If preventive treatment has failed or has been ineffective, Drs. Belnap and Jergensen offer comprehensive treatment for gum disease. In cases of mild gingivitis, a regular cleaning is typically sufficient. However, if you have moderate periodontitis, we often recommend a deep cleaning. During this procedure, which is also called scaling and root planing, your dentist carefully removes the bacterial pockets from your gums. Then he will gently plane, or smooth, your tooth roots, eliminating the rough patches. Bacteria can easily gather in these uneven spots, so this step of the procedure can help to prevent flare-ups of gum disease.

We offer several additional treatments for advanced gum disease, which we may recommend in conjunction with scaling and planing. Arestin® is a topical antibiotic that can help to eliminate oral bacteria. If you have particularly severe periodontitis, your dentist may use a laser to remove diseased tissue. The tool will not affect the healthy parts of your gums, and it will seal your blood vessels simultaneously, resulting in minimal discomfort.

Gum disease is not a curable condition, but proper care can help keep it under control. Therefore, after your treatment, it is essential that you maintain thorough oral care. In fact, following a gum disease diagnosis, we often recommend three to four dental visits per year. That way, we can treat the condition at the first sign of recurrence.

Contact Us for the Effective, Comprehensive Care You Need

If you are suffering from the symptoms of gum disease, we can provide treatment to help safeguard your oral health. To book an appointment, contact our office online or call our Rancho Peñasquitos office at (858) 484-9222 or our Ramona location at (760) 789-6200 to speak to a member of our team.