Gum Disease Treatment – Lexington, MA

Protect Your Mouth from Destructive Infections

Gum disease is an insidious menace that may seem negligible when it first appears but will develop into a serious infection that causes permanent damage if left untreated. Thankfully, gum disease treatment from the skilled team at Lexington Smile Studio can be a great way to eliminate infectious material from your smile and prevent further health problems like tooth loss and dangerous conditions like sepsis. Here’s a quick look at what gum disease is, the issues it can cause, and how we can address it with effective oral health procedures.

Why Choose Lexington Smile Studio for Gum Disease Treatment?

Experienced and Compassionate Dental Team
End Destructive Oral Infections
Preserve Your Beautiful Smile

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is an incredibly common oral health issue in the United States and around the world. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that about half of American adults have some form of gum disease and that about 70% of seniors have serious cases of it.

Gum disease is caused by a bacterial infection of inflamed gum tissue, and it can erode the soft tissues and jawbone structures that support teeth. The problem always starts out as mild inflammation called gingivitis, and it can usually be reversed at this stage with improved oral hygiene habits. However, untreated gingivitis will eventually become periodontitis which causes permanent damage and must be managed with regular dental treatments.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

Gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, can show itself through symptoms like:

Persistent bad breath (halitosis)
Redness or swelling of gums
Bleeding during oral hygiene sessions
Tenderness of the gums
Mild gum recession

Periodontitis, on the other hand, can cause issues like:

Pain during chewing
Loose permanent teeth
Dental sensitivity caused by advanced gum recession
Changes in bite alignment
Changes in how restorations like dentures fit
Permanent tooth loss

How Do We Treat Gum Disease?

Our dentist will have to thoroughly evaluate your oral health before determining the best way to address any infections. Our team will be happy to help you understand how we can preserve your oral health when we see you in our office, and we may recommend scaling and root planing in cases of gum disease.

Scaling & Root Planing

In some cases of advanced gum disease, a patient will require a deep cleaning treatment known as scaling and root planing. This two-part process is designed to eliminate infectious material from the teeth and gums and encourage them to heal properly after being damaged by harmful bacteria. Here’s a quick look at how scaling and root planing works and who it can help, but please feel free to contact our Lexington office if you’d like to know more.

Do I Need Scaling & Root Planing?

Gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, is mild inflammation that can usually be reversed with improved oral hygiene practices. However, the advanced stage of gum disease called periodontitis causes permanent damage and must be addressed by a qualified oral health professional such as Dr. Negreiros or Gatti. You may need scaling and root planing if you notice symptoms like:

Visible accumulations of plaque and tartar
Bleeding when brushing or flossing
Swollen or puffy gums
Persistent bad breath that can’t be resolved with a good oral hygiene session
Red gum tissue
Loose permanent teeth

The Process of Scaling & Root Planing

This treatment is a two-part process that typically takes at least two appointments. The procedure usually goes like this:

Scaling: During the first appointment, our dentist will carefully remove infectious material like plaque, tartar, and food debris from the teeth and gumline using specialized instruments. The patient will probably need several weeks to recover before their next appointment.
Root planing: During the second appointment (which usually happens about two weeks later), our dentist will smooth out the roots of the affected teeth so they can more easily reconnect with the gum tissue, which will help prevent future infections.

Aftercare Tips for Scaling & Root Planing

The scaling and root planing process can be rather intensive, so you may need a few weeks for your teeth and gums to fully recover. You can expect some dental sensitivity and discomfort while healing, but you can reduce these issues and prevent complications by:

Rinsing your gums with warm saltwater after eating to loosen food debris and soothe inflammation.
Being gentle when flossing and brushing.
Avoiding sweet, spicy, hot, acidic, and alcoholic foods and beverages while recovering.
Abstaining from tobacco use.
Sticking to a soft diet for at least the first forty-eight hours.
Refraining from intense physical activity for several days so your body can focus its resources on the healing process.