Gum Disease Treatment in
Beaverton, Oregon

Gum disease is an affliction of the gums which infects supporting tissues and bones that hold the teeth in place. It is different from gingivitis, although gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease.

Gum disease, according to WebMD.com, begins with bacterial growth in your mouth and may end, if not properly treated, with tooth loss due to the destruction of the tissue that surrounds your teeth. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. It inflames the gums and makes them bleed easily when brushing or flossing.

You can prevent gum disease by scheduling regular cleanings and practicing good at-home care. If you experience swollen, tender, or bleeding gums, call us right away to schedule an appointment. We offer the following treatments to defeat gum disease and restore your oral health:

• Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning below the gum line. Plaque is the primary cause of gum disease, and it is always forming on your teeth. If too much plaque builds up, the bacteria inside of it will cause your gums to become inflamed. Then, pockets will form between your gums and teeth where plaque will collect and become unreachable even with brushing and flossing. Your twice-yearly teeth cleaning will usually handle these pockets, but if they get too big, you will need scaling and root planing to treat gum disease.
• Gum graft surgery is a periodontal service used to reduce recessions in gum lines. This is done by taking healthy gum tissue from other parts of your mouth and grafting it to the reseeded areas. Your dentist will administer a local anesthetic to make sure the procedure does not hurt. Family Dental Care also offers laughing gas and oral sedation.
• In laser gum disease treatment, our dentist uses a laser to access an infected pocket and kill the bacteria. Once the infected tissue is removed and the root is exposed, the calculus (hard bacterial buildup) is removed with an ultrasonic root cleaner. Because this treatment uses a laser instead of traditional tools, it is minimally invasive, reduces bleeding, and uses the body’s healing processes to minimize recovery time.
• A gingivectomy is the total removal of a portion of the gum from in and around a tooth or teeth in order to treat gum disease. Basically, a gingivectomy trims off diseased gum tissue and stitches the healthy gum tissue back together. You will have to wear a surgical dressing inside your mouth for a week after this procedure. Antibacterial mouthwash can help the healing process.
• Dental crown lengthening is a procedure for those whose teeth appear too short. Your teeth are not actually short; your gums are just too long. Dental crown lengthening reshapes the gum and bone tissue around the problem areas to show more of your teeth.

How Safe Are These Procedures?

All of our periodontal services are routine, safe, and performed by trained professionals.

How Long Is the Recovery Process?

The recovery process will last one to two weeks. Your dentist might prescribe pain medication as needed to reduce swelling and make you comfortable. You may also be prescribed a pill or mouth rinse to keep infection away during the healing process.

For best results, leave the healing area alone, avoid hard foods, maintain proper oral hygiene, and follow your dentist’s instructions. There will be a follow-up visit scheduled after any procedure to make sure all is going well inside your mouth.