Non-Surgical Gum Therapy Ottawa
Many people suffer from periodontal disease (gum disease) due to poor oral hygiene. In fact, it’s one of the most common oral health problems today. Like many oral health conditions, gum disease can be hard to detect. It starts off with gingivitis, which causes your gum tissues to become sore, inflamed and bleed. As it progresses, gingivitis turns into periodontal disease, which wears away the bone and gum tissues supporting your teeth. This causes deep pockets to form and for teeth to become loose and fall out.
Some common signs of gum disease include:
- Gums that bleed.
- Gums that are sore or swollen.
- Gums that recede.
- Chronic bad breath.
- Teeth that are sensitive.
- Teeth that are loose or shift.
In addition to brushing and flossing, seeing your dentist is important. Your dentist can check and treat any problems that are detected. Without a comprehensive examination, you’re leaving yourself susceptible to gum disease and other oral health problems. As part of your exam, Dr. Nguyen at Rideau Dental Centre will professionally clean your teeth and gums. This includes:
- Scaling: hardened plaque (tartar) is gently scraped away using a scaling tooth. An electronic scalar may also be used which breaks up tartar and rinses it away with a stream of water.
- Polishing: your teeth are gently polished with a spinning head tool a dental paste. This makes your teeth smooth and minimizes the chances of plaque forming.
- Fluoride: fluoride treatment is given as the last step to keep your enamel healthy and strong.
For patients who have gum disease in the early stages, Rideau Dental Centre recommends non-surgical gum therapy. Non-surgical gum therapy combines a number of methods which include:
- Local medication: as a first step, Dr. Nguyen will inject local medication to the infected sites to prevent further infection.
- Curettage: gum tissues that are infected are removed to stop the spread of infection and allow new healthy tissues to grow.
- Root planing: minute amounts of the root surfaces are removed and smoothed to allow proper healing to occur.
These methods are often performed together. Because they are considered non-surgical, they are reserved for less severe cases of gum disease. For more serious cases, we can recommend you to a periodontist who specializes in surgical treatments, such as gum graft surgery.
The Rideau Dental Centre is committed to your oral health and will work with you to ensure you receive the appropriate treatment. Contact our dentist in Ottawa to set up an appointment today.