Gum Disease Treatment Arlington Heights

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is an infection that develops in the tissue from bacteria found in plaque and tartar accumulations. In its earliest stage, known as gingivitis, it causes inflammation, redness, and bleeding. At this point, it can be treated quickly without causing long-term complications.

Unfortunately, many people fail to recognize the early signs of it. This causes it to progress in severity. Deep pockets form in the tissue, trapping additional bacteria. Over time, it destroys the supporting structures of your teeth. Ultimately, it can lead to tooth loss. The bacteria can also enter your bloodstream, causing serious health concerns, like cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetic complications.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

Some of the most common symptoms of gum disease include:

• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Gum recession
• Bleeding and swollen gums
• Red and tender gums
• Loose teeth
• Difficulty chewing
• Tooth sensitivity
• Changes in your bite
• Tooth loss

How Do We Treat Gum Disease?

Your dentist in Arlington Heights will evaluate your oral health to create individualized solutions to stop the infection. Depending on your needs, you may require one or both therapies.

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Antibiotic Treatment

Used in combination with scaling and root planing, antibiotic therapy kills the harmful bacteria found inside your gum pockets. Dr. Ernie prescribes an antibiotic (pills) to take according to his recommendations to restore the health of your smile. Over time, the medicine will disperse and begin to target problem areas, allowing your gums to heal so you can enjoy better oral health.

Scaling & Root Planing

When you ask your dentist about your options for treating gum disease, scaling and root planing is very likely to come up, especially if your infection has already reached its more advanced stages. Scaling and root planing are the two parts that make up the deep cleaning process, which is often necessary for removing plaque and tartar from areas that would not be reached with regular dental hygiene habits. Here’s a quick look at how the scaling and root planing process works at Costello & DeHart Dental Excellence, but please feel free to contact our staff if you’d like to know more.

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Do I Need Scaling & Root Planing?

Gum disease is a sinister threat to your oral and overall health, and its effects can be imperceptibly small when the condition is in its initial phase called gingivitis. While gingivitis can usually be reversed by improving one’s oral hygiene habits, it will eventually develop into a destructive infection called periodontitis if left unresolved. Periodontitis causes permanent damage and can show itself through symptoms like:

• Swelling or redness of the gum tissue
• Gum recession
• Persistent bad breath that doesn’t go away after an oral hygiene session (halitosis)
• Visible accumulations of plaque and tartar
• Pain when chewing
• Loose teeth
• Tooth loss

Periodontitis will not get better on its own and must be treated by a qualified oral health professional such as Dr. Costello, DeHart, or Carr to prevent or address serious damage and avoid the spread of infectious bacteria.

The Process of Scaling & Root Planing

The scaling and root planing process is usually completed over two appointments that usually work something like this:

• The first appointment: During the scaling process, our dentist will use a specialized device to carefully remove plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the teeth and the pockets of the gums.
• The second appointment: During the planing process, our dentist will eliminate hardened deposits of bacteria from the inside of the gums and treat the roots of the teeth so they can more easily reintegrate with the soft tissue.

Aftercare Tips for Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling and root planing can be an intensive treatment, so you may need up to several weeks for your smile to recover. While you are healing, you can help yourself stay comfortable and avoid complications by sticking to guidelines like:

• Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater to kill bacteria, ease inflammation, and loosen food debris.
• Be careful when cleaning near the treatment area. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with gentle, circular strokes when brushing. Be mindful when flossing to avoid pressing too deep into the sensitive gum tissue.
• Avoid spicy, sugary, acidic, and alcoholic foods and beverages while healing.
• Abstain from smoking while healing.
• Stick to a soft diet for at least the first 48 hours after treatment.
• Get plenty of rest. Take a break from intense physical exercise for several days after the procedure.

We’ll be sure to provide you with detailed instructions on how to keep your smile healthy while it is recovering after scaling and root plaining when we see you for your consultation at our office in Arlington Heights.

Protecting Your Smile from Gum Disease

To prevent future infection, Dr. Ernie discusses your current oral hygiene routine and makes recommendations for improvement. It is best to brush your teeth at least twice a day for 2 minutes each session. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and tartar-control toothpaste to clean all surfaces of your teeth.

To clean areas that were missed by your toothbrush, do not forget to floss every night before going to bed. Choose a high-quality floss supported by the American Dental Association. Dr. Ernie may also recommend the use of an antimicrobial or antibacterial mouth rinse to reduce harmful bacteria.

You will need more frequent cleanings and checkups until the health of your smile is restored. On average, you can expect to schedule an appointment about every 3 to 4 months for periodontal maintenance cleanings.