Non-Surgical Gum Disease Therapy in Claremont, NH
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Please call us at 603-542-5197
Non-surgical gum disease therapy refers to the use of non-invasive treatment measures to manage periodontal disease. Periodontal or gum disease is the severe inflammation of gum tissues. Bacterial activity, and the by-products, is the largest culprit behind gum disease. When bacteria break up foods and sugars in your mouth, a sticky material known as plaque is formed. Plaque attacks teeth and gum tissues, causing cavities and gum disease, respectively.
We encourage our patients to schedule dental exams and cleanings to prevent gum disease and other dental problems. The earlier you catch periodontal disease, the less invasive the treatment required.
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing, better known as deep cleaning, involves thoroughly cleaning the teeth to eliminate bacteria as well as accumulated plaque. We use a dental scaler to remove plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line, where the periodontal pockets are.
Root planing is the smoothing of the tooth roots. Smoothing the tooth roots removes the rough grooves and depressions where the bacteria like to attach and hide. It also allows the gums to re-attach easily.
Antibiotics/Antimicrobials
Depending on the assessment of our dentist, you may require antibiotics or antimicrobials to complement your scaling and root planing treatment. Topical antibiotics are applied to the periodontal pockets to combat the harmful bacteria. Our dentist may also prescribe an antimicrobial mouth rinse to keep microbes away from your mouth.
Oral Hygiene
The best way to stay free of gum disease is to practice proper oral hygiene at all times. Every day, brush your teeth two times—preferably in the morning and then at night before you go to bed. Make sure to floss carefully at least once per day. Remember, these guidelines touch on the minimum amount of times, so nothing is stopping you from brushing thrice and flossing twice if that’s what you’d like.
Every six months, visit Claremont Dental Group for your biannual dental exams and cleanings. At-home brushing and flossing are essential, but nothing gets rid of plaque quite as well as professional dental cleaning.
Early signs of gum disease include toothache, swollen gums, bad breath, tender gums as well as receding gums. If these symptoms seem familiar, contact our dentist in Claremont, NH, immediately. The sooner you get treatment for periodontal disease, the better your chances of preventing tooth loss.