Gum Disease Treatment – Fort Mill, SC

Relief for Bleeding, Sensitive Gums

Closeup of smile with inflamed soft tissue in need of gum disease treatment

After you brush and floss, do you sometimes notice a bit of red or pink in the sink? Bleeding gums might not seem like a huge issue, but it could be a warning sign of gum disease. When caught early enough, this condition can be treated and even reversed. Left untreated, though, it could lead to tooth loss! That’s why Dr. Priya Chougule screens for gum disease at every checkup and treats it promptly if she detects any signs of the infection. If you’re looking for relief for bleeding, sensitive gums, call our team at Southlake Family Dentistry today to learn more about gum disease treatment in Fort Mill, SC!

 

Why Choose Southlake Family Dentistry for Gum Disease Treatment?

  • Soft Tissue Laser for Extreme Precision & Comfort
  • Dental Sedation Available to Calm Nerves
  • Personalized, One-on-One Care from an Experienced Dentist

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Animated smile with receding gums indicating periodontal disease

Periodontal disease is another term for gum disease, which develops when plaque and tartar accumulate in the mouth, often due to poor oral hygiene or tobacco use. The symptoms (such as bleeding, tenderness, and swelling in the gums) tend to be mild at first, which is why early detection is crucial in preventing periodontal disease from progressing to the advanced stages. Bacteria could destroy the tissues holding your teeth in place; in fact, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the U.S. Worse, the infection may spread to other areas of the body, resulting in overall health problems.

Scaling & Root Planing 

Animated smile during laser scaling and root planing

More often than not, the go-to treatment for gum disease is a two-pronged procedure called scaling and root planing. First comes scaling, wherein we remove plaque and tartar deposits from along and below the gumline. Then, we smooth out the roots of the teeth with root planing, which encourages the nearby gum tissue to reattach to them. It’s difficult for bacteria to gather on these smooth surfaces, so your risk for reinfection is much lower.

Antibiotic Therapy

Dental patient holding antibiotic therapy pills

Even our highly advanced instruments might not be able to eliminate bacteria from the deep pockets that have formed between your gums and teeth. For that reason, we’ll often apply a potent antibiotic to these pockets. The medicine begins fighting off the infection almost immediately, and over the next several days, it spreads out and continues to attack bacteria in even the most hard-to-reach areas of your gums.