If you suspect you have a dental issue, the chances are good that you need gum disease treatment in Jackson Hole. The best thing to do is come into the office for a consultation. At Dental Care of Jackson Hole, we can take a thorough look and determine the cause, condition, and recommended treatment for any dental issue – including gum disease. Your gums will typically give you a good indication of when you need treatment. Symptoms of gum disease include:
- Gums that are more red than usual.
- Inflamed or swollen gums.
- Bleeding gums.
- Painful gums.
Gum disease can be severe and lead to other health complications within your body. If you suspect you have an issue, it’s best to seek a dental evaluation as soon as possible.
How We Treat Gum Disease
Treatment for Gum Disease
The best way to treat gum disease depends on the type and severity of the condition. Gingivitis is a common type of gum disease that can be cured and avoided by maintaining excellent dental hygiene.
Causes of Gingivitis
Gingivitis can develop if you don’t clean your teeth often enough or have a health issue that worsens the condition. It occurs when plaque and bacteria build up between your teeth and gums.
Gingivitis Treatment
We begin gingivitis treatment with a professional cleaning. A cleaning can remove more plaque and bacteria than what is achievable with a typical home-care dental routine.
Cleaning Process
The cleaning starts with specialized tools to target hardened plaque (tartar) and remove debris from tooth surfaces. After cleaning, we polish your teeth to ensure they shine bright and white. We then floss between your teeth to clean thoroughly around them. A fluoride treatment is often offered after cleaning for extra protection against decay.
Duration and Comfort
The cleaning process usually takes about an hour and is designed to be as comfortable as possible. Afterward, we provide home-care dental hygiene tips to help prevent gingivitis from returning.
Periodontitis: A More Severe Condition
If gum disease progresses without treatment, it can turn into Periodontitis. Unlike gingivitis, Periodontitis cannot be cured, but it can be controlled and slowed down with professional treatment.
Periodontitis Treatment
Like gingivitis, Periodontitis requires professional cleaning. While most people visit the dentist for cleanings twice a year, those with Periodontitis may need more frequent cleanings.
Causes and Risks of Periodontitis
Periodontitis occurs when excess plaque, bacteria, and tartar build up between the teeth and gums, causing a “pocket” of space between them. This buildup can progress down to the tooth root, eventually reaching the jawbone. If untreated, it can lead to gum damage, tooth loss, and jawbone deterioration.
Advanced Treatment Procedures
In some cases, advanced treatments like root scaling and planing are necessary. Scaling removes plaque and tartar above and below the gum line, cleaning the pockets formed between the tooth and gums. Root planing smooths out the tooth roots to help the gums reattach to the teeth.
How to Avoid Gum Disease
Maintaining good dental care habits is the best way to avoid gum disease, along with regular checkups by your dentist. As long as you keep your teeth as clean as possible, the chances are good that you’ll have excellent gum and overall dental health.
You should:
- Brush and floss twice daily.
- Practice a healthy diet and avoid eating and drinking things that promote tooth decay.
- See your dentist for regular checkups.
Call Us Today and Keep the Gum Disease Away
If you have any questions about keeping your teeth and gums healthy, we’d be happy to answer them. Call us today and set up an appointment at our Jackson, Wyoming office. Dr. Paula Schmidt and Dr. Braiden Jorgensen look forward to working with you.