Periodontal Disease Treatment – Rochester, MN
Fighting Advanced
Gum Infections
Gum disease is an extremely common oral health problem. It can cause your gums to become red and irritated and make them bleed more easily, and it can also eventually lead to tooth loss. Some studies show that gum disease may even be a contributing factor to many cases of heart disease. Dr. Brong can treat your gum disease with effective treatments like scaling and root planing so you can protect your smile and avoid the worst potential long-term complications of gum disease. If you are concerned about gum disease, please contact our Rochester office today.
Why Choose Zumbro Family Dental for Periodontal Disease Treatment?
- State-of-the-Art Dental Technology
- Qualified and Compassionate Dentist
- Judgment-Free Periodontal Care
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a bacterial infection that affects the soft tissues and jawbone structures supporting the teeth. While this condition may seem like a negligible problem when it first develops, neglecting to take care of it can lead to a host of undesirable oral health consequences such as painful swelling, chronic bad breath, dental misalignments, and permanent tooth loss. To make matters worse, severely advanced cases of gum disease may lead to dangerous secondary infections like pneumonia or sepsis. While gum disease can usually be reversed with improved oral hygiene habits if it is caught in its early stages, untreated infections will eventually develop into periodontitis, a destructive condition that causes permanent damage and must be managed with professional treatment.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease that can often be resolved with improved oral hygiene, may show itself through symptoms like:
- Redness or swelling of the gums
- Bleeding during brushing or flossing sessions
- Sensitive or tender gum tissue
- Chronic bad breath (halitosis)
- Minor gum recession
Periodontitis, the more severe form of gum disease that causes permanent damage, can involve symptoms like:
- Painful chewing
- Looseness of permanent teeth
- Severe gum recession
- Dental sensitivity due to exposure of the tooth roots
- Change in bite alignment
- Change in the way restorative devices like dentures fit
- Tooth loss
How Do We Treat Gum Disease?
The first step to treating gum disease is to have Dr. Brong evaluate the problem at our Rochester office. Based on his findings, he may recommend a treatment like scaling and root planing.
Scaling & Root Planing
The scaling and root planing process is sometimes referred to as a “deep cleaning,” and it typically takes two appointments. During the first, we will scrape away the plaque that has accumulated on your smile as well as in the pockets that form when the gums pull away from the teeth. During the second appointment, we will perform root planing, which helps prevent reinfection by smoothing out the surfaces of the dental roots. This makes them much harder for bacteria to attach to and helps the teeth reintegrate with the gum tissue.
