Are There Nonsurgical Methods to Treat Gum Disease?

Gum disease is an infection that is caused by plaque that collects at the gumline. Left untreated, it will cause inflammation that can lead to gum recession and periodontal pockets. These pockets allow bacteria to reproduce, which can spread into the bone that supports your teeth. In severe cases, tooth loss can occur. At Premier Periodontics, our periodontist can evaluate your gums to determine whether or not you need gum disease treatment. If you suspect you have gum disease, contact us at one of our convenient locations in Bellevue, Everett, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Olympia, or Redmond, WA to schedule an appointment to learn more about what we can do to restore your oral health.

Best candidates for gum disease procedures

Patients who need gum disease treatment, oftentimes, will have symptoms, such as red, swollen, or bleeding gums; gum recession; or persistent bad breath. During a periodontal examination at Premier Periodontics, we can measure any periodontal pockets. If they are more than three millimeters and bone loss exists in your jaw (as seen on your x-rays), we may recommend scaling and root planing, or other gum disease treatment.

Nonsurgical gum disease treatment options

When treating gum disease, we try to use nonsurgical treatment options first. They include:

Antibiotics: When gum disease progresses, periodontal pockets can result in hard to reach areas that are difficult to clean on your own. Topical antibiotics or antimicrobial rinses may be prescribed by our periodontist for a short-term basis to attempt to suppress any spreading of this disease-causing bacteria.
Scaling and root planing: The goal of gum disease treatment is to rid your teeth and gums of bacteria. This is done with a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing. Scaling involves removing any plaque and tartar from the teeth, whether above or below the gumline. A perioscope allows our periodontist to see plaque and tartar accumulation best. Root planing is the smoothing of the root surface. The combination of the two helps prevent gum disease from developing again or progressing further. For more advanced stages of gum disease, we may place an antibiotic into the periodontal pockets to minimize bacterial growth. As the gums heal, they will reattach to the roots and minimize the depths of these pockets.
Adjustment to bite: If some of your teeth are loose, they will need to be protected from biting and chewing. Our periodontist can reshape small portions of your enamel to change how your teeth connect. This will lessen the force involved. A brace can be used to better support the upper and lower teeth too.

Recovery after nonsurgical gum disease treatment

After any type of nonsurgical gum disease treatment, you may experience tender gums and tooth sensitivity. It’s important that you maintain regular periodontal visits at Premier Periodontics for the next several months. Our professional team can provide the best oral hygiene tips to ensure your gums stay as healthy as possible.

Preventing gum disease

Since plaque is the main cause of gum disease, it’s important to remove it regularly. This means that your oral hygiene routine at home is important in keeping your mouth gum-disease free. Brushing at least twice daily and flossing once daily will help keep buildup off the surface of your teeth and above your gumline. Nonsurgical treatment is usually enough to control this infection and to restore you back to oral health. This is where a good at-home hygiene regimen comes into play to give you the best opportunity to stay gum-disease free.

Learn more about nonsurgical gum disease treatment today

If left untreated, gum disease will continue to worsen. At Premier Periodontics, we work closely with our patients to make sure that their oral health is always at its best. This is achieved with regular dental exams, routine dental cleanings, and with thorough oral hygiene at home. For more information and to schedule an appointment with a periodontist at one of our convenient locations in Bellevue, Everett, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Olympia, and Redmond, WA for nonsurgical gum treatment, call us today.