Gum Disease Treatment in Allentown, PA
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a common but serious condition that affects the gums and supporting structures of the teeth.
At Kearns Family Dental in Allentown, PA, we take periodontal health seriously. Our dedicated team offers comprehensive gum disease treatments designed to prevent further damage, restore gum health, and maintain a healthy smile for life.
If you’ve noticed signs of gum disease like bleeding gums, bad breath, or gum sensitivity, it’s important to seek professional care before the condition worsens.
What Is Gum Disease and What Causes It?
Gum disease begins with plaque, a sticky film of bacteria on the teeth. Without regular brushing and flossing, plaque hardens into tartar, irritating the gums and causing inflammation.
In its early stage, called gingivitis, gums may become swollen, red, or bleed easily during brushing or flossing. If untreated, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis, affecting the bone and tissues supporting the teeth, leading to gum recession, loose teeth, or tooth loss.
Why Early Detection of Gum Disease is Important
Gum disease can progress silently without noticeable symptoms until it’s in an advanced stage, which is why early detection is so important. When caught in its early phase (gingivitis), gum disease is usually reversible with proper treatment and improved oral hygiene. However, if it progresses to periodontitis, more intensive treatments like scaling and root planing or even surgery may be required.
Routine dental checkups are crucial for identifying gum disease before it becomes a serious issue. At Kearns Family Dental, we provide thorough periodontal evaluations as part of your regular dental exam to ensure your gums are healthy. If any signs of gum disease are present, we’ll work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses the problem at its root.
We also educate our patients on how to maintain good oral hygiene practices at home to prevent gum disease from developing or returning. Brushing twice daily, flossing regularly, and using an antibacterial mouthwash are key practices for keeping your gums healthy.
Non-Surgical Treatments for Gum Disease
If you’re diagnosed with gum disease, there are several non-surgical treatment options available depending on the severity of the condition. At Kearns Family Dental, we offer advanced gum disease treatments that focus on eliminating infection and promoting healing without the need for surgery.
One of the most common treatments is scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning procedure that removes plaque and tartar from beneath the gumline. This treatment smooths the roots of your teeth, allowing the gums to reattach and reducing the space where bacteria can grow. For mild to moderate gum disease, scaling and root planing is often highly effective in stopping the progression of the disease.
We may also recommend antibiotic therapy to control bacterial infection. This can include the use of topical antibiotics placed directly in the gum pockets or oral medications to kill the bacteria responsible for gum disease. Our goal is to restore your gum health without invasive procedures whenever possible.
Advanced Treatment Options for Periodontitis
For more severe cases of gum disease, advanced treatments may be necessary to repair damage and restore the health of your gums. At Kearns Family Dental, we provide a range of periodontal therapies that are designed to address advanced periodontitis and prevent tooth loss.
Periodontal surgery may be needed when deep cleaning is not enough to manage the disease. This type of surgery allows us to clean out deeper gum pockets and reshape the gum tissue to promote healing. Gum grafting is another procedure we offer, which is used to treat gum recession by restoring lost gum tissue, helping to protect the teeth from further damage.
Additionally, bone grafting can be performed to rebuild bone that has been lost due to advanced gum disease. This helps provide a stable foundation for the teeth and can even make dental implants possible for patients who have lost teeth as a result of periodontitis.
Preventing Gum Disease: Long-Term Care and Maintenance
The best way to avoid gum disease is through prevention. Good oral hygiene practices at home combined with regular visits to Kearns Family Dental are key to maintaining healthy gums. We recommend that our patients come in for cleanings and checkups every six months to ensure that plaque and tartar are removed before they can cause gum inflammation.
If you’ve been treated for gum disease, ongoing maintenance is critical. We’ll work with you to develop a periodontal maintenance plan that includes more frequent cleanings and checkups. This proactive approach ensures that your gums remain healthy and that any early signs of gum disease are caught and treated quickly.
Additionally, lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy diet, and managing health conditions like diabetes can greatly reduce your risk of developing gum disease.
Preventing Gum Disease: Long-Term Care and Maintenance
The best way to avoid gum disease is through prevention. Good oral hygiene practices at home combined with regular visits to Kearns Family Dental are key to maintaining healthy gums. We recommend that our patients come in for cleanings and checkups every six months to ensure that plaque and tartar are removed before they can cause gum inflammation.
If you’ve been treated for gum disease, ongoing maintenance is critical. We’ll work with you to develop a periodontal maintenance plan that includes more frequent cleanings and checkups. This proactive approach ensures that your gums remain healthy and that any early signs of gum disease are caught and treated quickly.
Additionally, lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy diet, and managing health conditions like diabetes can greatly reduce your risk of developing gum disease.
Contact Kearns Family Dental for Gum Disease Treatment in Allentown, PA
If you’re experiencing symptoms of gum disease or simply want to maintain your periodontal health, Kearns Family Dental is here to help. Call us today at (610) 432-7565 or visit our office at 216 North 17th Street, Allentown, PA 18104 to schedule a consultation. Don’t wait until gum disease becomes a bigger problem—take the first step toward healthier gums today!
