Gum Disease Treatment - Carrollton, TX
Preserve Your Gum Health
Periodontal (gum) disease can seem relatively harmless during its early stages, which usually consists of red, swollen, and tender gums that bleed quite easily. However, it can cause plenty of harm if left untreated, such as lost teeth, deteriorated bone tissue, and more. At Epic Family Dentistry of Carrollton, we work to protect our patients’ entire smiles, not just their teeth, which is why we perform a dedicated gum screening at every appointment.
If we see that a patient is experiencing an oral infection, we have a number of treatments that can take care of it before it causes any real trouble for the smile. If any of the symptoms we touched on above sound familiar, be sure to give us a call today!
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing, sometimes collectively known as a “deep cleaning,” is a treatment that’s designed to remove the plaque and bacteria that is the root cause of periodontal disease. During the scaling portion, a member of our team will thoroughly clean the areas underneath the gum tissue. Then, they’ll gently smooth out the rough surfaces of the teeth’s roots (root planing). Why do this? This makes plaque less likely to gather around the gums in the future, protecting a patient from reinfection.
Antibiotic Therapy
After a patient has received a complete periodontal cleaning, we may choose to apply a topical antibiotic called Arestin. On the gums, it will quickly dry, and then it will slowly dissolve over the next few days, allowing the powerful medicine to reach and kill any leftover bacteria hidden deep beneath the gum line. Once this treatment is over, we’ll recommend that a patient come to see us for regular dental cleanings about every three to four months. This will ensure that the gums are healing properly and also prevent the bacteria from coming back.