Give Your Gums a Deep Cleaning to Restore Their Health

Of course, the best way to treat gum disease is to prevent it from occurring. So Dr. Betts and our hygienists take time during your dental appointments to educate you about gum disease and the oral health practices that will help prevent it.

If you do develop periodontal disease, however, Dr. Betts will eliminate it with a treatment called scaling and root planing:

  • After numbing your mouth with a local anesthetic, he’ll remove bacteria-filled plaque from around and under your gumline (scaling).
  • He’ll then smooth the rough areas on your tooth roots to get rid of even more disease-causing bacteria. This also makes the area conducive to new gum growth, a necessary part of the healing process.

If you’re concerned about discomfort, you can get laughing gas, which will keep you relaxed throughout the procedure. Dr. Betts may also prescribe an antibiotic to help eliminate the bacterial infection.

Pay Attention to Gum Disease Symptoms to Prevent Problems

How do you know if you have gum disease? If you experience any of the gum disease symptoms below between dental exams, give us a call. It’s easiest to treat if it’s caught in the early stage, called gingivitis. Symptoms become more serious and increase your risk of losing teeth if it advances to a stage called periodontitis.

In the early stage of gum disease, symptoms include:

  • Tender gums
  • Swollen, inflamed gums
  • Gums that easily bleed when brushing
  • Chronic bad breath

In later stages, you may also experience:

  • Receding gums
  • Loose or shifting teeth

It’s possible to have gum disease with no obvious symptoms – which is why it’s so important to visit us for regular checkups and gum disease treatment.

If you’re concerned about your gums, call 256-274-8680 for nonsurgical gum disease treatment in Decatur. You can also schedule online. We’re located near Decatur Mall.