At Gateway Oaks Dental, we believe in nurturing healthy gums, the foundation of a healthy smile. Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is a common yet serious condition primarily caused by the bacteria found in plaque. Bacteria can inflame and infect your gum tissues, and if left untreated, the gums can begin to pull away from your teeth, leading to more serious health concerns. At our dental office in Sacramento, Dr. Hoang Truong and her compassionate team are dedicated to diagnosing, treating, and preventing gum disease in a caring and comfortable environment where your health takes top priority.
Understanding Gum Disease
Periodontal disease begins when bacteria in plaque build up around the teeth, causing inflammation and infection in the gum tissues. When the earliest stages are ignored, the condition can progress, potentially leading to more serious concerns like:
- Gum tissue recession
- Bone loss
- Tooth mobility and eventual tooth loss
- Persistent bad breath
- Painful chewing and discomfort
What are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?
Some of the most common symptoms of gum disease include:
- Swollen, red, or tender gums
- Gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing
- Loose teeth
- Persistent bad breath
- Receding gums
- Pain when chewing
If you notice any of these symptoms, contact our dental team right away. We'll provide a thorough exam to determine if your smile is affected by periodontal disease, and the best treatment route for restoring your healthy smile.
Our Approach to Periodontal Care
The treatment for gum disease is highly individualized, based on each smile and the progression of the condition. At Gateway Oaks Dental, we work to halt the progression of the disease, eliminate infection, and help you restore your oral health in a stress-free, comfortable environment. Dr. Truong and her team offer a range of advanced periodontal therapies, including:
Periodontal Exams
Our comprehensive examinations include a thorough assessment of your gum health, checking for signs of inflammation, bleeding, gum recession, and measuring pocket depths around your teeth to identify areas of concern.
Periodontal Cleanings (Scaling & Root Planing)
For more advanced stages of gum disease, a standard cleaning isn't enough. Scaling and root planing are deeper cleaning procedures where we carefully remove plaque and tartar deposits from both above and below the gumline, and then smooth the tooth root surfaces. This helps the gums reattach to the teeth and reduces bacterial accumulation.
Periodontal Maintenance
After undergoing your periodontal deep cleaning, Dr. Truong and her team will continue promoting your healthiest gums through periomaintenance. While scaling and root planing effectively remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria from below the gum line, periodontal disease is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management – that's why attending perio maintenance appointments is crucial for preventing the recurrence and progression of gum disease. During these specialized cleanings, our team will:
- Carefully monitor your gum health, checking for pocket depths and signs of inflammation
- Gently clean below the gum line, removing any new plaque and tartar buildup and targeting periodontal pockets
- Provide personalized oral hygiene instructions for at-home care, to help you maintain your healthiest gums between visits
The recommended frequency of your periodontal maintenance appointments will be customized to your needs. Your treatment will always be targeted and precise, designed to preserve your gum health and your natural teeth into the future.
Prophylaxis vs. Periomaintenance: Understanding the Difference
Wondering about the difference between a regular dental cleaning and periodontal maintenance? While both involve professional cleaning, each serves a distinct purpose based on your oral health. At Gateway Oaks Dental, we offer both types of cleanings to ensure our patients receive the targeted treatments they need.
- Prophylaxis (Regular Dental Cleaning). A preventive cleaning for patients with healthy gums and no signs of active periodontal disease. It removes plaque and tartar from above the gum line. This type of cleaning is typically recommended every six months to prevent cavities and gum disease.
- Periomaintenance (Periodontal Maintenance Cleaning). A therapeutic cleaning for patients previously diagnosed with and treated for periodontal disease. Its goal is to manage the chronic nature of gum disease, prevent recurrence, and maintain gum and bone stability. These visits are more thorough, extending below the gum line to target bacteria in periodontal pockets. Periomaintenance visits are usually recommended more frequently, often every three to four months, depending on the condition's severity.
For patients with healthy gums, prophylaxis helps prevent disease. For patients who have had periodontal disease, periodontal maintenance helps control the condition and maintain their treatment results, for long-term smile protection!
At Gateway Oaks Dental, we offer a wide range of specialized therapies for periodontal disease, including:
Arestin® for Periodontitis
As a powerful adjunct to scaling and root planing, we may recommend Arestin. This is a localized antibiotic that we place directly into the gum pockets after cleaning. Arestin continues to fight bacteria for an extended period, significantly reducing pocket depth and inflammation to help manage periodontitis.
Gingivectomy
In cases where gum tissue has overgrown or needs reshaping due to gum disease, a gingivectomy can be performed. This procedure removes and reshapes excess gum tissue to eliminate pockets, improve gum health, and enhance the aesthetic appearance of your smile.
Laser Gum Therapy
We utilize advanced dental lasers for precise, gentle treatment of gum disease. Our laser therapy targets and eliminates diseased tissue and bacteria from within the gum pockets with minimal discomfort, reduced bleeding, and often faster healing compared to traditional methods. This technology helps to sanitize the area and promote healthy gum reattachment.
OraCare Rinse
To support your at-home oral hygiene and enhance the effectiveness of our in-office treatments, we may recommend OraCare rinse. This professional-grade rinse helps reduce harmful bacteria and inflammation, contributing to ongoing gum health and fresh breath.
Restore Your Gum Health Today
We are committed to helping you achieve and maintain healthy gums for a lifetime. If you are experiencing any symptoms of gum disease, don't delay. Early intervention is key to successful treatment and preventing more serious complications.
We welcome you to call or visit Gateway Oaks Dental soon to learn more about our periodontal treatment options and schedule your comprehensive exam with Dr. Truong.
