Periodontal Disease Treatment – Fresno, CA

What Is Gum Disease?

About half of American adults have some form of gum disease, and the risk of these destructive infections can increase with age. More than 70% of adults over 65 have gum disease, and the condition is more common among men, those living below the federal poverty level, pregnant women, diabetics, and active smokers. Gum disease is caused by bacterial accumulations in the mouth, and it can destroy the bones and soft tissues the teeth depend on for support. While this illness can usually be reversed with improved oral hygiene in its early stage called gingivitis, advanced infections called periodontitis can cause tooth loss and require professional intervention from a qualified dentist such as Dr. Reintjes.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

Gum disease causes a variety of symptoms depending on the stage it is in. For example, gingivitis can show itself through:

• Persistent bad breath
• Swollen or red gums
• Gums bleeding when flossed or brushed
• Mild gum recession

Periodontitis, on the other hand, can lead to symptoms like:

• Pain while chewing
• Loosening of permanent teeth
• Dental sensitivity due to root exposure
• Severe gum recession
• Changes in bite alignment
• Permanent tooth loss

How Do We Treat Gum Disease?

The best way to address your gum disease will depend on how advanced your infection is, and the only way to know the best procedure for you is to have a consultation with Dr. Reintjes at his Fresno office. Based on a thorough evaluation of your oral health and a discussion of your symptoms, he may recommend:

Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling and root planing (SRP), also known as a deep cleaning, is a treatment our dental team uses to clean above and below the gum line, removing bacteria and smoothing the tooth’s root to prevent reinfection. SRP is the gold standard of gum disease treatment and is usually recommended for moderate levels of gum disease. It may take a few visits to complete the entire treatment, and antibiotic therapy may be necessary as well.

Antibiotic Treatment

We may need a little extra help fighting gum disease in addition to SRP treatments. Because gum disease is an infection, antibiotics can help eradicate the bacteria that causes it. Dr. Reintjes can apply the medicine directly to the pockets of infection during each SRP treatment, or he may prescribe an oral antibiotic to help combat the plaque that causes and worsens gum disease. Antimicrobial mouthwashes, which can be used daily after brushing and flossing, are also available.

Laser Periodontal Treatment

For more severe cases of gum disease, like when there has already been a significant loss of bone or gum tissue, your Fresno dentist may recommend treatment with the soft tissue laser. This method minimizes bleeding, offers better results, and requires shorter healing periods compared to traditional surgical gum disease treatment, which requires a scalpel and sutures. Using the soft tissue laser, Dr. Reintjes can zap away at the diseased tissue with extreme precision, leaving structures that are still healthy intact.