At Oak Grove Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we provide an extensive menu of restorative dentistry services including periodontal disease treatment. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is an extremely common dental concern that we treat in our dentist’s office.
Dr. Erika Graham is your local restorative dentist in Durham, NC. She can help you restore your teeth and gums from the harmful effects of gum disease. Learn more about our periodontal disease treatment plans below.
Periodontal Disease Treatment in Durham, NC
If you notice a small amount of blood in the sink following brushing or flossing your teeth, you may be suffering from the early-stage symptoms of gum disease. This is called gingivitis, and it occurs when your gums become irritated due to plaque and tartar buildup.
Scheduling routine dental cleanings as well as maintaining a strict oral hygiene regimen at home can reduce your risk of developing gingivitis.
Additional symptoms of gum disease include:
- Discolored / Bright red gums
- Tender gums
- Gum line recession
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Pus between your teeth and gums
- Loose teeth
- Bad breath
Often, if you are experiencing early-stage gum disease symptoms, a thorough dental cleaning should reverse these effects. During dental cleanings, any plaque or tartar is removed from your teeth and gums, giving your smile a fresh start.
However, some patients who visit us may have already progressed past the early stages of gum disease. For these patients, we provide periodontal disease treatment plans to manage their gum disease. Most periodontal treatment plans include a deep-cleaning procedure known as scaling and root planing.
This procedure allows us to get rid of any bacteria within the deep pockets of your gums as well as remove any infected soft tissue. Once complete, your smile will be free from gum disease.
Periodontal Disease Treatment FAQs
How often do you need periodontal treatment?
Although it differs from routine cleanings in several ways, periodontal deep cleanings are fairly comparable to regular cleanings. However, you’ll need to go back for these every three to four months, which means you’ll require these appointments more frequently than regular cleanings.
Is periodontal cleaning painful?
Deep cleanings may cause some discomfort since they are more thorough and reach deeper below the gumline than standard cleanings. Your dentist will first numb the location they are cleaning to ensure your comfort throughout the process.
What happens after a deep teeth cleaning?
After a dental deep cleaning, you might anticipate seeing less signs of gum disease. The gums should become less inflamed and swollen, and any redness should fade away. Your teeth and mouth may be sensitive to the touch, as well as to meals that are hot or cold. This sensitivity should subside within a few days.
Can you eat after periodontal cleaning?
You may eat after a periodontal cleaning, but make sure any numbness has worn off before you do. Avoid eating foods that are sticky, hard (like ice cubes, nuts, popcorn, or chips). Patients should also avoid spicy, heavily seasoned, or acidic. Foods like mashed potatoes, macaroni & cheese, soup, pasta, scrambled eggs are safe to eat and recommended.
Left untreated, gum disease could lead to tooth loss. We recommend contacting our office directly if you suspect you are dealing with late-stage gum disease symptoms. Serving Durham, NC, and surrounding areas, we provide comprehensive dental services for patients of all ages. Please schedule an appointment online, and we look forward to seeing you soon.