Gum Disease Treatment - Woodbury, MN

Treat Gum Disease to Protect Your Smile

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The Consequences of Gum Disease

Nearly 50% of adults in the U.S. have some form of gum disease (also called periodontal disease or periodontitis) caused by bacteria from plaque and tartar between the teeth and gums. Early stage gum disease (called gingivitis) can cause irritation, bleeding, and minimal discomfort. If left untreated, early periodontal disease can result in receding gums that pull away from your teeth. Chronic inflammation can cause periodontal pockets to form around your teeth, which exposes more of your tooth structure and root system. Once exposed, the tooth and roots are more susceptible to infection due to accumulating bacteria irritating the impacted area. This can lead to infections, cavities, and bone loss. If you have advanced gum disease, the combination of bone loss and receding gums can result in tooth loss. Dr. Avi Matha is skilled in providing gum disease treatment in Woodbury, MN to help prevent the negative repercussions of periodontitis and save your smile in the process.
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Gum Disease Can Take a Toll on Overall Health

Any time blood flow is constricted or reduced, the risk of gum disease increases. Smoking, hormonal changes, pregnancy, diabetes, certain medications, and genetics can increase the risk of gum disease. Periodontal disease is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Studies show that gum disease increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, dementia, some types of cancer, and pregnancy complications. The warning signs of gum disease include:
Dr. Matha with patient

Targeted Gum Disease Treatment

The good news is you can prevent gum disease by taking simple steps including brushing your teeth after meals, flossing daily, and rinsing your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash once a day. This will help remove bacteria and sugar from your teeth and gums before plaque can form. Eating a healthy diet low in sugar can also help keep your gums healthy. At Tamarack Hills Family Dentistry, we recommend having your teeth cleaned professionally at least twice a year so we can remove plaque and tartar from hard to reach places. We offer many forms of gum disease treatment in Woodbury, MN, based on the severity of your periodontitis. We start with a consultation and may recommend a deep cleaning, which can effectively heal gums to prevent additional treatments. Depending on your treatment and anxiety level, we offer three types of soothing sedation dentistry to ensure your comfort. With proper treatment, maintenance, and good oral health habits, gum disease doesn’t have to damage your smile. A smile free of bacteria and infection is essential for maintaining optimal oral and general health.

Our Gum Disease Treatments

1

Scaling and Root Planing

This non-surgical, two-part deep cleaning is often the first procedure we perform to combat gum disease. Scaling removes all the plaque and tartar above and below your gumline, down to the bottom of the pocket. During root planing, we remove plaque, tartar buildup, and bacteria from the roots of your teeth and smooth rough surfaces.

2

Osseous Surgery

A common surgical procedure used to treat advanced periodontal disease, this involves gently pulling gum tissue away from your teeth to smooth bone irregularities and eliminate or reduce gum pockets. We perform a deep cleaning before reattaching gums to the tooth surfaces.

3

Gingivectomy

This procedure is done to heal damage caused by periodontal disease or to correct a gum condition involving the structures around your teeth. During this surgery, we remove an entire section of gum tissue from in and around a tooth or teeth, reattach the remaining gums, and thoroughly clean the area.

4

Gum Grafting

If gum disease has caused receding gums, gum grafting can resolve this problem. During this procedure, we take tissue from the roof of your mouth or another area and graft it to the impacted gum areas. The goals of this procedure include preventing bone loss, stopping gums from receding further, and protecting previously exposed tooth roots from decay.

5

Periodontal Maintenance

Bacterial plaque can cause gum disease to recur a few months after a professional cleaning. Periodontal maintenance with deeper cleanings at 3-4-month intervals can help keep your gums and teeth stay healthy. We schedule visits based on your degree of periodontal disease, type of treatment and response to it, plaque growth rate, and your commitment to practicing good oral care at home.

Stop gum disease in its tracks and save your smile!

Schedule an appointment to treat gum disease in Woodbury, MN.