Periodontal Disease

Gum Therapy
Periodontal Disease, when it comes to taking care of your dental health, it’s important not to forget about your gums. Periodontal disease starts off as gingivitis. It can develop to the more serious form of periodontitis, where the infection actually gets to your bone and can even lead to tooth loss. To put it simply, the sooner you treat periodontal disease, the better! At East Wind Dental Care Dentistry, we offer different gum disease treatment options. So we are able provide personalized gum therapy.

Periodontal Treatment
You should have a standard cleaning at least twice a year. A periodontal treatment includes an Adult Prophy (basic cleaning). If it has been over a year since your last cleaning, possible treatment will include either Periodontal Scaling (deeper) or Root Planning and Scaling (requires anesthetic).

At Hillsboro’s East Wind Dental Care, we believe it’s our job to protect your whole health by providing superior, long-term preventive and restorative dental care. When your oral health declines, so does your overall health, as demonstrated by gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. Gum disease is not just a serious dental concern; it has been linked to heart disease and diabetes, as well as low birth weight in children born to women suffering from it.

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is characterized by red, swollen, bleeding, or receding gums, as well as bad breath, painful chewing, and loose teeth. It starts when plaque is found in the mouth and hardens into a substance called tartar. Which can only be removed with a professional cleaning. If plaque and tartar are not removed, the bacteria eventually cause a mild form of periodontal disease called gingivitis, in which the gums bleed and become red and swollen. Gingivitis is still reversible, and it can be treated with a professional dental cleaning and regular brushing and flossing. However, when left untreated, the gum disease worsens, leading to an advanced form called periodontitis that can cause severe damage to the soft tissue that supports the teeth, resulting in infection and eventual tooth loss.

Signs of Gum Disease
If you are wondering if you have gum disease, here are common signs and symptoms to look out for:

• Red or swollen gums
• Tender gums
• Bleeding gums
• Loose teeth
• Tooth sensitivity
• Persistent bad breath

Have one or more of the above? Please contact East Wind Dental Care Dentistry so we can help get you back to great health!

Gum Disease Treatments

At East Wind Dental Care, Hillsboro dentist Dr. Merat ostovar offers a variety of periodontal therapy treatments that address gum disease at its various stages. Periodontal therapy begins with a consultation and exam, so Dr. Ostovar can determine the stage of the disease and develop a treatment plan. Treatments may include:

• Professional dental cleaning: Dr. Ostovar will remove the plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line. If you have gingivitis or signs of periodontitis, you will be required to have this level of cleaning twice a year or more.
• Scaling and root planing: Plaque and tartar are scraped away from both above and below the gum line while under local anesthetic (scaling). Rough spots on the tooth root are then smoothed out (planing). Locally applied medications, such as antimicrobials and antibiotics, may be used.
• Arestin® Topical Gum Treatment: Arestin® is an antibiotic topical treatment that we apply directly onto your gums in a quick, painless procedure. This powder releases a powerful antibiotic steadily over around three weeks. Arestin® can kill off the bacteria at the source of the disease. We often apply Arestin after a scaling and root planing.
• Laser Gum Therapy: A revolutionary advancement in dentistry, laser gum therapy offers a non-invasive alternative to traditional surgical techniques. Using a dental laser, we’ll precisely target the infected areas and remove any damaged tissue. Some of the benefits include how it’s a faster, more comfortable procedure and how you’ll experience a speedier recovery as well as longer-lasting results.
  

After you receive your treatment, you will be given instructions on specific oral hygiene techniques to use regularly at home. In severe cases of periodontal disease, surgery may be required to remove deep pockets of harmful bacteria.

FAQ

Q: ” When is gum surgery necessary?“

A: Gum surgery becomes necessary when the gum tissue around the teeth is too unhealthy to be repaired with nonsurgical treatments.

Q: “How can you prevent gum disease?“

A: Routine professional dental cleanings and regular at-home oral hygiene practices that include brushing and rinsing at least twice a day and flossing regularly will help prevent both gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Q: “What is a gum graft?“

A: During a gum graft, tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth and attached to the affected gum line, allowing more tissue to grow and cover the exposed root surface.

Q: “What is a gum or periodontal abscess?“

A: A gum or periodontal abscess occurs when a pocket of pus collects within the gum. It happens when tissue disintegrates as a result of a bacterial infection in the gums or tooth roots and supporting bone.

Gingivitis and gum disease are preventable and treatable. If you are concerned that you might have periodontal disease, call (503) 614-0198 to set up a consultation at our Hillsboro dental office today.