Commonly called gum disease, periodontal disease is responsible for nearly 75% of tooth loss in adults in the United States. New research has linked periodontal disease to health problems like stroke, heart attack, and heart disease. Patients should visit their dentist at their earliest convenience if they experience inflamed, bleeding, or red gums. The longer it takes to start treatment, the more damage the disease can do and even result in permanent illness or significant damage to the teeth and gums.

Fortunately, Las Vegas dentist Dr. Polley can provide patients who have periodontal disease a treatment to eliminate and oftentimes reverse the damage and risks of periodontal disease. If you have gum disease or suspect that you do, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Polley for an evaluation at our Las Vegas dental office. Call (702) 873-0324 or email us today to request an appointment.

Woman smiling with skyscape

Causes of Gum Disease

Gum disease is one of the most common dental problems in America. One of the best ways to avoid it is by familiarizing yourself with the causes and taking action sooner than later. Gum disease occurs when irritation and infection occur below the gum line. Hardened plaques beneath the gum line are the main cause of the irritation and infection. The gums then protect the bacteria from saliva washing it away, therefore giving it the perfect place to reproduce and spread.

At this stage, symptoms will start to present themselves including red and swollen gums, as well as bleeding gums with flossing or brushing. If you see blood in the sink after flossing, this is not normal; it’s a sign you have gum disease. From this point, gum disease can escalate quickly and result in gum recession, bone loss and loose teeth.

By combating gum disease this man is able to prevent gum disease, gingivitis and periodontitis for good, giving him a healthy smile

Preventing and Treating

With regular brushing, flossing and dental cleanings, you can prevent plaque from building up and forming underneath the gum line. Unfortunately, not everyone brushes or flossing effectively.

In the event that you do develop periodontal disease, we will recommend non-surgical therapy first including:

  • Removing hardened plaque below the gum line with scaling
  • Reduce rough areas on tooth roots with root planing
  • Using arestin antibiotic therapy to fight infection
  • Using restorative treatments to eliminate bacteria

In addition to the above treatments, we might also recommend changes to your oral hygiene routine like adding CariFree to it.

Modern Gum Disease Treatment Improved with Perioscopy

At our dental office in Las Vegas, we use modern technology to make diagnosing and treating your dental problems much more effective. We use a perioscopy – a tiny fiber-optic camera – to peek below your gum line and into deep pockets of bacteria you have so we know exactly where to treat your gum disease. This allows us to remove all the bacteria without second-guessing if we got it all. As a result, you end up with more effective results.

We also use the perioscopy to effectively remove plaque and tartar and smooth the tooth roots. The camera allows us to treat you gentler so you can experience little to no discomfort during the procedure. Since the perioscopy allows us to see exactly what we’re treating, you’re less likely to need an additional gum disease treatment like surgery. The only downside to using a periscope for periodontal therapy is that the treatment takes a bit longer. However, we believe the extra time we take is absolutely worth it for the higher quality results.

Gum Disease Recovery

After you receive a gum disease treatment, you can maintain your healthy gums with a proper oral hygiene routine as suggested by Dr. Polley. Depending on the condition of your gums, healing can take up to several weeks.

If you suspect you have gum disease or need a periodontal therapy, please let our Las Vegas dental team help restore your gums back to health. Please call (702) 873-0324 or email our dental office to schedule an appointment.