How Does a Dentist Approach Gum Disease Treatment?
A dentist treats gingivitis by removing plaque and tartar through a professional cleaning. For more advanced cases, scaling and root planing is performed under local anesthetic — scraping bacteria from below the gumline and smoothing root surfaces so gums can reattach. Antibiotics may also be prescribed. With consistent at-home care, gingivitis typically clears within 10 to 14 days.
Gum disease treatment is necessary for patients whose tooth decay has progressed enough to cause inflammation of the gumline. Without proper treatment, the gum disease will continue to worsen.
Gum disease treatment from a dentist
Gum disease is incredibly common. According to the National Library of Medicine, almost half of all adults over the age of 30 have some form of gum disease, and by the age of 65, this number rises to about 70%. The good news is that dentists can treat gum disease and restore a patient's oral health.
Understanding gum disease
Gum disease, also called gingivitis, is a condition in which the gum tissues become inflamed and potentially infected due to bacterial buildup on the nearby teeth. As bacteria build up on the nearby teeth, a layer of plaque and tartar forms that cannot be removed at home.
How gum disease is treated
A dentist can proactively treat gum disease using specialized tools, such as scalers. These metal implements can remove the plaque and tartar layer near the gumline. A dentist may also use scaling and root planing to address bacteria that have infiltrated below the gum line, gently cleaning the tooth roots before resetting the gums.
The dentist may recommend a graft for patients who have experienced severe gum recession. Gum grafting takes living tissue from elsewhere in the mouth and attaches it to weakened or thin areas.
Will gum disease come back?
The earliest stages of gingivitis are reversible with good oral health care and consistent visits to the dentist for treatment. Patients who are suffering from gum disease typically benefit from seeing the dentist more often to prevent gingivitis from returning. If a patient does not receive treatment, their gum disease can progress to a more serious form called periodontitis.
Schedule an appointment for gum disease treatment
If you are experiencing symptoms of gum disease, it is essential to seek treatment as soon as possible. Our team can help you spot gum disease in its earliest stages and get the treatment you need quickly. Contact our office to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Adela Haratz, DDS
Dr. Adela Haratz is the founder of Haratz Dental and has more than 40 years of experience in dentistry. She is recognized as an aesthetic and scientific authority in dental artistry and facial aesthetics, and fellow dentists regularly turn to her for continuing education.
She earned her degree from the University of Miami and opened her private practice in Aventura in 2010. A member of the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Haratz focuses on veneers, smile design, full mouth rehabilitation, and root canal therapy. She and her team care for patients in English, Spanish, and Hebrew near Aventura, FL.