Gum Disease Treatment Arlington Heights

Effective Periodontal Therapy for Healthy Smiles

Unlike the phase in your childhood when your baby teeth fall out, losing teeth in your adult years is not normal. With proper hygiene practices and the modern technology of the dental field, adult teeth can and should last an entire lifetime!

When it comes to dental health, the tooth itself is not the only part to consider. The gums and the rest of the mouth matter as well. Ensuring that your mouth is entirely taken care of is essential to help avoid problems down the road. There are, however, many different circumstances and habits that can lead to problems, and if an infection in the gums does occur, gum disease treatment in Arlington Heights may be an option to help improve the afflicted area.

Why Choose Westgate Dental Care for Gum Disease Treatment?

Painless & Effective Soft Tissue Laser Therapy
In-Network Dental Provider
Modern & Technology-Driven Treatment

Woman in dental chair smiling after gum disease treatment in Arlington Heights

What Is Gum Disease?

A problem that affects about half of the American population, gum disease is an infection and inflammation of the gums that is typically caused by poor dental hygiene. When plaque and bacteria build up along the gumline, infection can occur, leading to numerous symptoms and serious issues if left untreated. However, in its earlier stages, gum disease can be completely reversed before the infection spreads.

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Stages of Gum Disease

There are different stages of gum disease and the type of treatment that you need will vary based on the severity of the infection. These include:

Healthy

Pink gum tissue

Gums and bone firmly hug and anchor the tooth

No bleeding noted during brushing, flossing, or evaluation

Illustrated close up of upper and lower teeth touching

Illustrated side view of tooth in normal gums

X ray of jawbone and three healthy teeth

No Bone Loss

Gingivitis

Red and inflamed gum tissue

Gums may feel tender and swollen

Possible bad breath

Bleeding gums during brushing, flossing, and/or evaluation

Illustrated close up of upper and lower teeth with slightly red and receding gums

Illustrated side view of tooth with slightly red and receding gums

X ray of three teeth and slight jawbone loss

No Bone Loss

Early/Moderate
Periodontitis

Gums separate from the teeth, creating spaces or pockets

Bad breath

Gums recede making teeth appear longer

Exposed root surfaces may be sensitive and at risk for decay

Bone loss evident on radiographs

Illustrated close up of upper and lower teeth with red and receding gums

Illustrated side view of decayed tooth in red and receding gums

X ray of three teeth with 2 to 4 millimeters of bone loss in the jaw

Bone Loss = 2-4mm

Advanced
Periodontitis

Foul odor and bad taste are constant

Teeth become mobile, and shift, changing the bite

Severe horizontal and vertical bone loss evident

Most often resulting in tooth loss

Illustrated close up of upper and lower teeth with severely red and receded gums

Illustrated side view of decayed tooth in severely red and receded gums

X ray of teeth with over 5 millimeters of jawbone loss

Bone Loss = >5mm

Woman in gray sweater smiling in dental chair

The Importance of Gum Disease Treatment

Your gums may not get the same spotlight that your teeth do, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less important. In fact, without healthy gums, your teeth couldn’t be properly supported. However, there are even bigger issues to worry about with gum disease than the health of your smile. Gum disease causes higher risks of cardiovascular disease, strokes, uncontrolled diabetes, colorectal cancer, respiratory infections, and even Alzheimer’s. As studies continue to show this relationship between gum health and overall health, it’s more vital than ever to practice a good oral healthcare routine.

How does periodontal disease affect your overall health?

Diagram of human body showing risks of gum disease including heart disease and colorectal cancer

Dentist and patient discussing gum disease treatment options

What Is Periodontal Therapy?

If gums are diseased and inflamed, it can cause an array of problems that could end up affecting your teeth. Periodontal therapy is the recommended method to help restore the area of the diseased gums. Also known as gum disease treatment, it can take many forms for each specific case and type of issue. The primary goal of each treatment is to restore the damaged area.

Woman having her mouth examined by dentist

Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is a two-step process that we use to tackle gum disease and prevent permanent oral damage. First, we’ll clear all plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline to control harmful oral bacteria accumulation. This will help restore the health of your oral tissues and common symptoms like inflammation and tenderness. Then, we’ll smooth out the roots of your teeth so your gums can healthily reattach.

Dental team member smiling next to a patient in the treatment chair

Laser Periodontal Therapy

Our soft tissue laser utilizes a beam of light to accurately remove any severely damaged and infected gum tissue to provide your gums with a chance to heal. It cauterizes the area and at the same time removes the tissue as well, eliminating the need for sutures, scalpels, bleeding, and a long recovery time. Plus, due to the precise nature of our soft tissue laser, this treatment is fast and comfortable.

Dental team member showing a pamphlet to a patient

Gum Disease Treatment Plan

The longer gum issues go untreated, the worse the problem gets, and more intense therapy methods may be required. For mild cases, something as small as a deep gum cleaning may be sufficient, but in severe cases where the gum has infected the bone, and tooth loss is imminent or already occurring, surgical methods such as grafting new gums to protect the nerves may be necessary.

Gum Disease and Periodontal Therapy

Despite your best efforts, avoiding gum disease during your lifetime may be impossible. It’s quite a common problem, affecting nearly half of adults. Something as simple as not brushing or flossing as regularly as you should along with missing regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings can lead to negative consequences. However, if you suspect gum disease is already occurring, the best step is to schedule an appointment with a professional as soon as possible.

Periodontal Therapy Provider

Located in Arlington Heights, Westgate Dental Care cares about our customers and community. We strive to ensure a calm environment to help relax guests as soon as they enter. Dental appointments can sometimes leave people apprehensive, but our team comes prepared with different amenities to help even the most anxious guests ease into their visit. When dealing with gum disease, depending on how developed the case has become, some methods of treatment can be more intensive. Our dental professionals will analyze and thoroughly examine your problem, and then come up with the best tactics to help you most effectively and efficiently.

Dental team member showing floss to a patient

At-Home Gum Care

Thankfully, gum disease can be prevented by taking the proper steps on your own time. Be sure to brush your teeth twice a day, for two minutes each session. Angle your brush at 45 degrees on your gumline to clean away as much plaque and bacteria as possible. You should also floss your teeth once a day to remove any lingering food debris from between your teeth. Lastly, for an extra level of cleaning, use a nonalcoholic mouthwash to reach places your brush and floss cannot.

Westgate Dental Care focuses on patient comfort, offering noise-canceling headphones, warm blankets, and even sunglasses to reduce the harshness of bright lights in the exam room. All of our patients who undergo periodontal therapy leave feeling much healthier and happier. Dealing with gum disease doesn’t have to be an embarrassing or terrible experience, so visit your dentist in Arlington Heights today to learn more.

Treating Bad Breath

When battling gum disease, you may notice that you develop bad breath. Unlike the kind that forms after eating certain foods, like garlic or onions, no amount of brushing can eliminate the bacteria that cause halitosis (chronic bad breath). With the help of our Westgate Dental Care team, though, we can implement effective strategies to remove the foul odor and help you enjoy fresher breath moving forward.

Learn More About Treating Bad Breath

Woman pulling down her bottom lip to show infected gums

Gum Disease Treatment FAQs

Gum disease is a serious oral health issue that could lead to long-term consequences for your smile! Here at Westgate Dental Care, we are committed to helping patients prevent and/or fight back against this potentially devastating condition. We are also enthusiastic about patient education, so you can feel free to ask us anything that is on your mind about gum disease or the treatments for it. In the meantime, you might gain some valuable insight by reviewing the FAQs listed below.

The sad truth is that everyone is at risk for gum disease! However, some groups are much more likely to develop it than others, including:

Individuals with poor oral hygiene habits, as well as those who have medical conditions that prevent them from being able to thoroughly brush and floss their teeth.
People who smoke and/or consume large amounts of alcohol.
Older individuals.
People who consume a high-sugar diet.
Individuals with misaligned teeth (bacteria can more easily get trapped along the gumline).
Those who are genetically predisposed to gum disease; this might be true of you if you have multiple family members with this condition.

At first, gum disease can be very subtle. In its earliest stage, known as gingivitis, it might just cause your gums to look a little red and swollen. They might also bleed easily when you brush and floss. Persistent bad breath is also common.

As gum disease progresses into periodontitis, you might notice that your gums are receding or that your teeth start to feel loose. Increased dental sensitivity may also occur as gum recession exposes your tooth roots.

Yes, children can get gum disease. Kids who have a difficult time adapting to an oral hygiene routine, or who have disorders that affect their ability to care for their smile, are at a particularly high level of risk.

Fortunately, most cases of gum disease in kids are gingivitis, which can often be reversed via thorough oral hygiene and the support of a qualified dental team.

The bacteria that cause gum disease are trapped beneath the gumline, so they are unlikely to spread to other people through casual contact. However, to be on the safe side, you might choose to avoid sharing silverware and toothbrushes with other people while you are undergoing treatment (not sharing such items is a good practice even for people without gum disease). Also, keep in mind that kissing can allow the bacteria that cause gum disease to spread from person to person.

Basically, you should avoid any activities that involve the exchange of oral fluids.

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