Gum Disease Treatment in Bellevue, NE
Today, dentists talk a lot about gum disease, how to prevent it, and the effects it has on your oral health and your overall health and wellness.
Unfortunately, gum disease is a widespread problem, and it affects half of all US adults over age thirty. But the good news is that it’s also highly preventable!
At Kennedy Dental, we offer expert gum disease treatment at our Bellevue, NE dentist office. You can be confident that your smile is in great hands!
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a bacterial infection caused by plaque that collects on your teeth. If you don’t routinely remove it when you brush, plaque turns into a hard substance called tartar. You can’t remove tartar at home with your toothbrush, and only a hygienist can remove it during a professional dental cleaning in Bellevue, NE.
You may have heard the recent news that there’s a connection between the presence of gum disease and systemic conditions like diabetes that affect your entire body. Mountains of research tell us that inflammations in the mouth affect the rest of your body and contribute to heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, and pre-term pregnancies or low birthweight babies. One study explains how gum disease can impact your fertility!
How Can I Tell if I Have Gum Disease?
One reason gum disease is so widespread is that in many cases, there are no noticeable symptoms. Common signs of gum disease that our Bellevue dentists look for are:
- Bleeding gums when you brush
- Puffy, swollen, or inflamed gums
- Chronic bad breath
- A change in your dental bite
- Teeth that feel loose
If you experience any of these symptoms or it’s been a while since your last dental exam and cleaning, call Kennedy Dental to schedule a periodontal exam!
How Do You Treat Gum Disease?
There are two stages of gum disease:
Gingivitis Treatment
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and treatment at this point is straightforward; one of our skilled dental hygienists performs a dental cleaning to remove all the plaque and tartar from your teeth around your gum line. She will also explain how you can improve your brushing and flossing technique.
Periodontitis Treatment
Periodontitis is the advanced stage of periodontal disease, where the infection is attacking your gums and the bones that hold your teeth in place. Without treatment, your teeth can start to loosen, and we may need to remove them.
Treatment for periodontitis is called scaling and root planing (SRP). Scaling involves clearing away plaque and tartar from all tooth surfaces and below the gum line.
Root planing smooths the root surfaces of your teeth to eliminates spots where bacteria collect and provides a smooth surface for your gums to reattach to your teeth after treatment. Our dentists may also recommend a course of antibiotics to ensure that all traces of the infection are gone. In some cases, it may be necessary to perform a additional procedures such as gum grafting, but we'll keep you informed every step of the way, so you know what to expect.
Schedule Your Next Dental Cleaning in Bellevue!
Your oral health is closely tied to your overall wellness, so it’s essential to take steps to prevent gum disease or treat it as soon as possible. Please call Kennedy Dental at (402) 291-3535 to schedule your next dental exam and cleaning at our Bellevue, NE dental office.
disease is an ongoing issue that requires diligence to manage. The goal of gum disease treatment is saving your teeth and preventing heart complications and other body wellness issues.
