Dr. Orlando and Dr. Spelman may treat gum disease. Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is an infection that attacks the tissues and bones that surround and support your teeth. The early stage of gum disease, gingivitis, affects only the gums that surround your teeth. The advanced stage, periodontitis, spreads below your gums and damages the tissues and gums that support your teeth. If left untreated, gum disease can cause tooth loss. Gum disease is usually painless, so you may not know you have it. However, if you have any of the following symptoms, Dr. Christopher M. Spelman may treat gum disease in Hopewell, New Jersey:
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Gums that bleed easily when you brush and floss
- Receding gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Pus coming from the gums
- A change in your teeth
- Loose teeth
Non-surgical treatments for gum disease include professional teeth cleanings and scaling and root planing. Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning procedure in which the plaque and tartar is removed from above and below the gums.
Surgical treatments for gum disease include flap surgery, bone grafts, and soft tissue grafts. During flap surgery, the gums are lifted back so the tartar can be removed. Grafts replace bone or tissue that has been lost because of gum disease.
Another non-surgical therapy involves placing a sustained – release antibiotic into pockets in the gums.
We invite you to contact Orlando Family Dentistry, LLC today to learn more and to schedule your next appointment with our dentists.
