Periodontal Disease in Wellsboro, PA

Periodontal (gum) disease is an inflammation in the gums. If not treated, it can cause significant damage to your mouth. Periodontal disease has several stages that range from mild to severe. The first phase is gingivitis, which happens because of a buildup of plaque in the gum pockets. If not treated, gingivitis may develop into the next phase called periodontitis, which impacts the bone and fibers that support your tooth roots. Advanced periodontitis is the most severe stage of gum disease, which can cause loose or lost teeth. To take care of periodontal disease, Complete Family Dentistry provides both surgical and nonsurgical treatments, depending on the severity of the disease, such as antibiotics, scaling and root planing, gum surgery, gum tissue grafting, and tooth extraction. If you notice signs of gum infection, please schedule a consultation at our office in Wellsboro, PA.

Gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, is difficult to discover on your own. Because of this, you should schedule annual dental examinations at Complete Family Dentistry in Wellsboro, PA. This gives us a chance to measure your gums so we can identify and treat the problem before it impacts your mouth and general health. As periodontal disease progresses, symptoms include:

• Gums that look swollen or red
• Gums that bleed during regular flossing and brushing
• Gumline that has separated or receded
• Chronic bad breath

At the later stages of gum disease, you can also feel discomfort while chewing and sensitivity to cold and hot foods. It's necessary to schedule a dental appointment if you experience any of these symptoms so we can treat the disease before it becomes severe.

Based on the severity of your gum disease, we can determine the best course of treatment for you. If you have gum disease, one of our dental professionals will discuss suggestions for your treatment program. For mild cases, we perform scaling and root planing (SRP) to clean out the pockets of your gums. For more advanced cases of gum disease, we may prescribe antibiotics and multiple SRP procedures. Severe cases of periodontal disease generally require gum surgery, like pocket reduction or gum grafting.

Based on your condition and treatment program, your recovery period will be different. You may need to schedule a series of appointments at Complete Family Dentistry to treat your periodontal infection fully. Once your oral health has improved, you need to continue attending regular dental examinations and cleanings at Complete Family Dentistry. You should also maintain a daily home oral hygiene routine, which includes brushing and flossing. To reduce your risk of redeveloping gum infection, we may suggest an antibacterial mouthwash or toothpaste.

Periodontal disease will get worse if you don't receive treatment so you should seek professional help as soon as any symptoms occur. At Complete Family Dentistry in Wellsboro, PA, we work with you to make your gums healthier and prevent future infection. To learn more or to schedule a consultation with one of our dental professionals, please contact our office in Wellsboro, PA.