Treatment Options for Gum Disease

Treatment Options for Gum Disease

462446723Gum disease is a serious oral health issue that might cause major problems in your mouth. If you have gum disease, keep reading to learn about treatment options that you can find at your dentist.
Scaling and Root Planing
If your gum disease is not very advanced, the dentist might give you a scaling and root planing treatment. This deep cleaning gets rid of the plaque and tartar that developed beneath the gum line. Once the plaque and bacteria are removed from the gum line, they can no longer cause infections and inflammation that lead to gum disease.
Antibiotics
If your gum disease has advanced, you might need antibiotics to get rid of the infection. Medications like Arestin can be placed right on the infected area of the gums after your initial therapy treatment. The medication is released slowly over time to get rid of bacteria for the next 21 days. Using Arestin after your scaling and root planing treatment can completely get rid of the bacteria so it cannot cause any more issues in your mouth.
Flap Surgery
If your gum disease has spread far beneath the gum line, you might need flap surgery to remove the plaque and bacteria. During this surgery, a dentist makes an incision in the gums to get to the hard-to-reach plaque and tartar. This procedure also gives the dentist the opportunity to close the pocket so it does not leave room for more bacteria to develop.
Supportive Therapy
Once the infection is gone, the dentist will work with you to prevent any more infections from developing. Supportive therapy requires you to visit your dentist frequently to make sure the infection is not coming back.
If you have gum disease, Dr. John R. Carson is here to help you get the treatment you need. Our office provides a wide range of periodontal treatments that can help you restore healthy gums. To learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment, visit us online or call (520) 514-7203.