Gum Disease Treatment – Grand Island, NE
Protect Your Mouth from Infection & Tooth Loss
Our dentists are able to provide comfortable and state-of-the-art periodontal treatments for patients diagnosed with gum disease. Gum disease detrimentally affects your gum and bone tissues—and the devastation begins with the colonization of bacteria on your teeth. Bacteria forms as a sticky yellow film, known as plaque, which eventually hardens into tartar (calculus). Once bacteria reaches this stage, only a professional cleaning can remove it and keep it from becoming problematic.
At our Grand Island dental practice, we offer charting and diagnostic services and in-office therapy. Gum disease—what dentists call periodontal disease—affects a large percentage of the population and can be serious. Because healthy gums are crucial for healthy teeth, we’ll evaluate the state of your gums during routine checkups and determine an appropriate plan of action if necessary. This may include treatment or, in severe cases, referral to a periodontist.
If your gum disease goes untreated, you may face monumental consequences to your oral health—and your overall health, too. There are many scientific studies that link periodontal infections to serious systemic issues such as coronary artery disease, diabetes complications, non-fatal strokes, premature births, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Why Choose Stec & Stines Cosmetic & Family Dentistry for Gum Disease Treatment?
- State of the Art Technology
- Reliable Arestin Antibiotics
- Education-Oriented Dentists
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing are actually two parts of the deep cleaning process. The goal is to remove all the plaque and tartar above and below your gumline, thus getting rid of the bacteria contributing to your gum disease. The process of removing these substances is called scaling. Root planing is when we smooth out the roots of the teeth, which creates a surface that the gums can more easily reattach to; it also makes it more difficult for bacteria to settle on these areas again.
Arestin Antibiotic Therapy
Arestin is a concentrated antibiotic that is placed directly in the pockets that form between the teeth and gums. Small amounts of antibiotic are released over time, targeting the bacteria that causes gum disease in the first place. Arestin is shown to dramatically decrease pocket-depth, meaning your mouth will heal much faster. Under most circumstances, the antibiotic will help directly fight against an infection for about two weeks.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
You may not have noticeable symptoms of periodontal disease at first, but as gum disease advances, symptoms can become more obvious and more detrimental. You probably have a periodontal infection if your gums bleed, swell, or redden. Gum disease may cause pockets to form around your teeth and your teeth to loosen. In the United States, gum disease is the number one reason for adult tooth loss.
Health Problems Linked to Gum Disease
Good oral health supports good body health. The American Academy of Periodontology cites research that suggests inflammation caused by periodontal infections increases plaque build-up and swelling of arteries, which means it can be a contribution to coronary artery disease. Other studies found evidence that periodontal inflammation also increases the risk of non-fatal strokes. Gum disease is also prevalent in pregnant women, who can suffer premature births or deliver low-birthweight babies.
