Maintain Healthy, Infection-free Gums with Non-surgical Gum Disease Treatment
Your gums are the foundation of your oral health. If they’re unhealthy, the stability of everything they support—including your teeth—is at risk. If you suspect gum disease, don’t wait—take action today by scheduling an appointment with Modern Smile Dental. Dr. Michelle Janbakhsh and her team offer non-surgical gum disease treatments to maintain optimal periodontal health.
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is a common inflammatory condition that affects the gums and the surrounding tissues. Poor oral hygiene and poor diet is the main cause of gum disease. When you fail to brush and floss your teeth diligently, plaque (a colorless bacteria film) accumulates and hardens on your teeth. Also a poor diet and nutritional deficiencies, cannot compensate for regular brushing/ flossing either.
In its earliest stage (gingivitis), gum disease causes:
- Gum redness
- Puffy or swollen gums
- Tenderness
- Bleeding gums, especially when flossing or brushing your teeth
- Sensitive teeth
- Bad breath
Gum disease is relentless. If left untreated, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis, where bacteria spread below the gum line, leading to gum recession. As your gums pull away from your teeth, deep pockets form that can only be cleaned with specialized dental tools. If allowed to progress further, periodontitis can reach an advanced stage, where harmful bacteria attack the bone supporting your teeth. At this point, your teeth loosen and eventually fall out!
How is gum disease treated? Experience our non-surgical approach
Gum disease treatment doesn’t have to be painful and invasive. Dr. Janbakhsh uses a conservative approach to restore your gum health. Gingivitis is the only curable/reversible stage of gum disease. Treatment for gingivitis is as simple as good oral hygiene and standard cleanings (oral prophylaxis).
Deep teeth cleaning is available as a non-surgical option if your gum disease doesn’t respond to basic cleanings. Deep teeth cleaning uses a two-fold approach to gum disease treatment. Scaling removes unhealthy deposits (plaque, tartar, and bacterial toxins) from the deep periodontal pockets. Root planing smoothes the tooth roots to remove rough patches that encourage bacteria buildup. Ultimately, deep teeth cleaning eliminates the infection and promotes healing (attachment of gums to your teeth). There are other noninvasive adjunct treatments that can also improve the gum disease and will be discussed with you in your appointment.
Traditional periodontal treatment works but can be invasive, and gums can take long to heal. Enter laser periodontal therapy—a minimally invasive treatment for moderate to advanced gum disease. Instead of scalpels and sutures, laser technology uses light energy to target diseased tissues. Laser gum therapy is comfortable, precise, and minimally invasive, and recovery is much swifter. Lasers also promote tissue regeneration and encourage new attachment.
Can I prevent gum disease?
Periodontal disease is easier and more cost-effective to prevent than treat. To keep your gums healthy, follow these tips:
- Brush at least twice daily
- Floss your teeth daily to prevent plaque buildup between teeth
- Attend bi-annual dental cleanings and check-ups
- Eat a dental-friendly diet and limit the intake of sugary foods and carbohydrates
- Quit tobacco use, also minimal alcohol consumption
- Manage stress, diabetes, and other immune-suppressing conditions
Take control of your oral health today—schedule your consultation!
The earlier you treat gum disease, the less invasive the treatment. Don’t wait for periodontal disease to cause gum recession or tooth loss. Take action today by seeking periodontal care from Modern Smile Dental. Call (301) 850-0376 and schedule your consultation with Dr. Janbakhsh.
