If you experience red, tender, swollen, or bleeding gums when you brush your teeth, you may be one of the 80% of Americans who have gum disease.
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is caused by bacteria buildup that irritates the gum tissue and is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults in the U.S. The bacteria eats away at the connection between your gums and teeth, and it thrives in the pockets it creates at the base of your teeth. If left untreated, gum disease may progress and lead to other health issues, such as increased risks for heart attacks and strokes, respiratory disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.
How is it Treated?
We will look for signs of gum disease when you visit us for a dental exam and cleaning. If detected in its moderate-to-mild stage, we can treat it with a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing, along with antibiotics. Scaling removes tartar from below the gum line, and root planing smooths out the teeth roots to help reduce areas where plaque may buildup. Follow-up appointments will help us assess treatment progress and plan any necessary changes to the treatment plan.
What is the Role of a Periodontist?
Specialist treatment may be advised if the disease progresses past the point where a deep cleaning would be effective. Our periodontist is Dr. Kondrat, and he is a partner in the practice. He can perform specialized treatments such as gum surgery in our office. Treatments like these remove dead gum tissue and help regenerate new, healthy tissue.
While gum disease is not curable, regular dental cleanings and consistent oral homecare can help reduce the potential for recurrence.
Schedule Your Periodontal Disease Treatment with Us
Do you have red, tender, or bleeding gums when you brush? Our periodontal disease treatment is designed to help reduce the effects of gum disease. To learn more, schedule an appointment or consultation with Dr. Thomas Villani or Dr. Richard Kondrat by calling (617) 562-5210. We proudly welcome patients from Brighton, Watertown, Cambridge, Brookline, Newton, and all surrounding communities.
