Did you know that an estimated 65 million adults in the U.S. have some form of gum disease? You may already know that gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss, but it’s also been found to increase the risk of many other diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer’s and some cancers. Given how serious the consequences are, it makes sense for anyone with gum disease to find the best treatment possible to improve their oral health and overall health! Fortunately, laser dentistry in Phillipsburg has revolutionized treatment and offers many advantages over traditional procedures. Keep reading to learn about the signs and symptoms of gum disease and why lasers are a such a fantastic way to treat it!
What Are the Signs of Gum Disease?
Gum disease has been called a “silent disease” (much like diabetes) because it’s not painful. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t warning signs:
- Early stages – This stage is called gingivitis, where you might notice swollen or tender gums, or bleeding after brushing and flossing. Gingivitis can usually be reversed with regular checkups and consistent brushing and flossing.
- Advanced stages – If the early stages aren’t caught and treated in time, gum disease can progress. Then you may notice chronic bad breath, painful chewing, loose teeth, or receding gums. Once gum disease progresses past gingivitis, it can’t be reversed or cured – but it can be managed and stabilized.
How Does Laser Dentistry Work?
When someone is initially diagnosed with gum disease, the first recommendation is usually to have a deep cleaning (also called “scaling and root planing”). Depending on each patient’s unique needs, other treatments may be recommended as well to remove damaged gum tissue and promote healing.
Traditionally, these procedures involve using hand instruments, scalpels and sutures. But using laser periodontal therapy in Phillipsburg is more effective (and comfortable) because it destroys bacteria and damaged tissue – without harming healthy tissue.
It also offers several other advantages:
- Precision – A laser is able to precisely target the source of gum disease, which makes treatment much more predictable. And no sutures are necessary!
- Comfort – Because lasers are more precise, there’s significantly less swelling and bleeding.
- No local anesthesia – For patients who don’t like needles, this is a huge advantage.
- Faster healing – Patients heal much faster after their procedure, with less discomfort.
Treating your gum disease doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. With laser dentistry, you can get better results, with less discomfort – now that’s a win-win situation!
About the Author
By combining 30 years of experience as a dentist in Phillipsburg with the latest techniques, Dr. Jeffrey DeMartino delivers outstanding gum disease treatment. He’s been using lasers for 25 years to provide comfortable treatment for his patients with gum disease and ultimately reduce their risk of tooth loss. If you have any questions, he can be reached via his website or at (908) 859-5260.
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