Periodontal (Gum) Disease Treatment

For many patients, it’s necessary to get periodontal therapy. With the care of Dr. MacConnell, you can get the gum disease you need without you having to be referred to a periodontist in a different office. This allows for excellent continuity of care when you have problems with your gums. Our team provides these services in the same place you get your general dentistry services.

Gum Disease and Your Health

Gum disease is bad for your oral health, but it can also affect many other parts of your body as well. Patients who have gum disease have a higher risk of developing several serious health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. The bacteria that build up under the gums can move to other places in the body and create many health conditions.

Part of taking care of your health is taking care of your oral health. When you neglect your teeth and gums, you can end up with serious gum and bone problems that will affect your health. Be sure to brush and floss every day and get your regular dental exams.

Treatments for Gum Disease

For people with periodontal disease, bacteria will begin to build up under the gums, and this bacteria has to be treated so that their mouths are healthier. It’s often necessary for patients to get periodontal therapy that includes using an oral rinse, and some may also need antibiotics to speed healing of the gums and bones. If a patient has a severe case of periodontitis, a deep cleaning of the sockets where the teeth fit may also be indicated.

Getting Periodontal Therapy

At the Center for Family and Implant Dentistry, Dr. MacConnell uses the latest technology in the field to ensure that you get excellent treatment for any periodontal problems. When you need periodontal therapy, many treatments options may be employed, depending on your specific mouth and the stage of the periodontal disease. These treatments can help you get rid of your periodontal disease so that you have healthier gums.

When patients have gum disease, they often have the gum pockets around their teeth expand because of the bacteria beneath the gums. The goal is to make these gum pockets smaller to stop bleeding and the odor caused by the disease. Periodontal therapy tackles each of these problems and allows for better oral health.

A common type of periodontal treatment is root planing and scaling. This is a method of gum cleaning that goes deep to clear out plaque beneath the gum line. The root planing portion requires the roots of the affected teeth to be smoothed over so that they can reattach to the gums. The scaling process is a method of getting rid of the tartar and plaque found on the teeth both above and below the gums.

Periodontal Treatment Options in Bluff City and Kingsport

If you notice swelling of your gums, you need to seek treatment from Dr. MacConnell. Contact the Center for Family & Implant Dentistry to make your appointment for an assessment of your gums and overall oral health.