Advanced gum disease (also called periodontitis) affects nearly half of US adults. While the condition can be reversed early on, it can eventually cause tooth loss. If you notice that your gums bleed often or have become sensitive, swollen, or if you experience persistent bad breath or a bad taste, call Mios Dental to schedule an appointment for periodontal treatment in Carrollton, TX with Dr. Le.
The bacteria in your mouth can build up on the roots of your teeth below the gum line where they’re typically hidden from the scope of a normal dental cleaning. Treating gum disease means getting rid of this oral bacteria no matter where it’s hiding, which is where scaling and root planing come in. Scaling is the process of removing the bacteria from the teeth while root planing gives the nearby gum tissue a smooth surface to reattach to.
A single treatment isn’t always enough to stop a gum infection. To continue fighting your periodontitis, we may prescribe antibiotic therapy as needed. This might come in the form of a pill that is swallowed, but it might also involve a medication that is applied directly to the space between the teeth and gums, or in the pockets that gum disease tends to form. You will likely need to undergo antibiotic therapy for weeks before the infection has been completely eliminated.
