Gum Disease Treatment – Boston, MA
How We Stop Gum Disease in Its Tracks
Gum disease (also commonly referred to as periodontal disease) is one of the most common health problems in the world as well as the leading cause of tooth loss among adults here in the United States. While this bacterial infection may start out relatively benign and harmless, untreated cases can quickly get out of control – that’s why the Devonshire Dental of Boston team takes this threat to your oral health and happiness very seriously. We screen for gum disease at every single checkup and cleaning, and our doctors will be sure to let you know if there is cause for concern. Our team features Dr. Annie Amsalem, who is a trained periodontist and can personally care for even advanced cases of infection. To schedule your next appointment, contact our dental office today for gum disease treatment in Boston, MA! We’re located in the heart of downtown Boston within the Financial District.
Why Choose Devonshire Dental of Boston for Gum Disease Treatment?
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Periodontist (Gum Care Specialist)
on Staff -
Led by Husband &
Wife Dentists -
Fast & Comfortable
Laser Therapy
Do I Have Gum Disease?
Gum disease can often be very subtle in the beginning stages, which is why scheduling regular checkups at our dental office is so strongly recommended. However, some tell-tale symptoms should be paid attention to. These include:
- Gum tissue that bleeds, especially when brushing or flossing
- Serious bad breath that continues to linger even after brushing, flossing, or using mouthwash
- Gum tissue that looks overly swollen or red
- Teeth that gradually appear longer over time (a very clear sign of a receding gum line)
- Teeth that appear to be mobile/ loose
How Do You Treat Gum Disease?
The most common treatment for combating gum disease is scaling and root planing, which is an in-depth cleaning that goes beyond a typical hygiene appointment. Our team will target the areas hidden underneath your gum line, thoroughly eliminating built-up plaque and tartar so that your soft tissue can successfully reattach to the teeth. We’ll also carefully smooth the rough surfaces along with the tooth roots, which are big targets for harmful bacteria. Our hope is to guide your oral health towards recovery as effectively as possible. An additional service we offer is antibiotic therapy with ARESTIN, which is typically used in combination with scaling and root planing. The antibiotic is applied directly to the treated areas of the gum tissue, where it continues to work to eliminate dangerous bacteria that may have been inadvertently left behind.
Scaling & Root Planing
When gum disease is caught relatively early, we can often put a stop to it with a special type of dental cleaning called scaling and root planing. First, we remove all of the bacteria-filled tartar accumulated around the gum line, and then the roots of the teeth are slightly reshaped and smoothed. This jumpstarts the healing process and also makes it more difficult for plaque to gather near the gums in the future.
Do You Need Scaling & Root Planing?
To determine whether scaling and root planing is ideal for you, we will complete an examination of your mouth. X-rays will also be captured to collect as much information as possible. Depending on the condition of your gums, the depth of your gum pockets, and the progression of your gum disease, we may recommend scaling & root planing.
The Process of Scaling & Root Planing
The complete scaling and root planing process is completed over the course of two appointments. However, treatment length varies for each patient. To remove plaque and tartar, we will start by scaling the teeth with dental tools. We will target the gumline and beneath where bacteria build up.
After the scaling portion is complete, we will move on to the root planing part of the treatment. This is when we smooth down sections of the teeth beneath the gumline. This helps the gums to adhere to the teeth, speaking up the healing process and making it more challenging for the bacteria to build up again. Ultimately, this process reduces the risk of developing gum disease again in the future.
Aftercare Tips for Scaling & Root Planing
It is normal for the gums to feel a little bit sore following scaling and root planing. The gums may also be a little bit inflamed. This is temporary and should go away within a couple of weeks. Here are some tips to help the healing process go quickly and smoothly.
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste.
- Rinse your mouth with saltwater after meals.
- Floss every day.
- Stick to a soft diet following your treatment
- Avoid foods and beverages that are spicy, acidic, or hot.
- Refrain from intense physical exercise until the area heals.
Laser Gum Disease Treatment
Laser dentistry has completely revolutionized the way our dentists treat the gums. Rather than using incisions and sutures to help patients with advanced gum disease, we can take a gentler, more precise approach using a soft tissue laser. The light it emits gives off practically no heat or sound while it quickly and seamlessly removes bacteria and infected tissue, meaning the patient basically feels nothing while in the chair.
How Laser Gum Disease Treatment Works
The tip of the laser is small, meaning we can direct the light energy into the tiny pockets between your teeth and gums where harmful bacteria accumulate and form calculus (another name for plaque), which is the cause of gum disease. It’s able to remove the buildup as well as infected tissue without affecting the nearby healthy gums or enamel.
Typically, laser gum disease treatment is completed in stages, focusing on one or two quadrants of your mouth per appointment. For your comfort, your dentist will apply a topical anesthetic before starting.
The Benefits of Laser Gum Disease Treatment
- Minimally Invasive: The dental laser only targets diseased tissue, preserving surrounding healthy gums. This results in less pain, bleeding, and swelling both during and after treatment.
- Faster Recovery: With its gentle, non-surgical approach, laser treatment allows most patients to resume normal activities within just a day or two.
- Lower Infection Risk: The laser naturally sterilizes the treated area, greatly reducing the chance of infection following the procedure.
- Highly Effective: Laser treatment is extremely efficient at removing harmful bacteria and infected tissue from gum pockets compared to traditional methods.
- Less Reliance on Antibiotics: Because the laser sterilizes as it works, there is often little or no need for antibiotics after the procedure.
Aftercare Tips for Laser Gum Disease Treatment
Thankfully, you won’t have to greatly alter your routine immediately following laser gum treatment. You can ensure the area heals quickly and comfortably simply by…
- Avoiding hot, spicy, sticky, or crunchy foods for two to three days.
- Initially, eating a soft, nutritious diet (oatmeal, eggs, plain yogurt, etc.)
- Brushing and flossing your teeth like normal while being gentle around the treatment area.
- Rinsing with an alcohol-free mouthwash.
- Relaxing on the day of the procedure so the mouth can start the recovery process.
Arestin Antibiotic Therapy
As gum disease progresses, it can cause pockets of bacteria to form between the teeth and gums that are extremely hard to clean with conventional methods. So, we can instead apply a topical antibiotic called Arestin, which looks like a powder, but it’s actually thousands of microspheres filled with medicine. After it’s applied, the spheres slowly melt, allowing the medicine to reach the tiniest spaces and eliminate the infection wherever it might be hiding.
Gum Disease Treatment FAQs
How common is gum disease?
Are you curious whether or not gum disease is a rare condition? Unfortunately, it’s a fairly common concern that affects an estimated 4 in 10 adults who are 30 years or older. It only becomes more prevalent with age, as about 60% of those who are 65 or older have advanced gum disease, known as periodontitis. It affects approximately 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women, meaning it can impact people of any gender or age.
Common risk factors include smoking, neglecting oral hygiene, poor nutrition, and other medical concerns, such as diabetes.
Does gum disease ever go away?
The earliest stage of gum disease, gingivitis, is the most common type of periodontal problem and can often be prevented, halted, or even reversed with consistent dental care. For instance, brushing and flossing twice daily and visiting our office every 6 months for routine checkups and cleanings can keep it at bay. However, it usually starts small and doesn’t always show noticeable signs right away, so it often progresses.
Meanwhile, advanced-stage gum disease can be managed with treatments such as scaling and root planing (a two-part deep cleaning), laser procedures, or Arestin antibiotics, but it may not be fully curable.
How long does gum disease treatment take?
The time it takes to improve your periodontal health depends on different factors unique to your situation, such as the severity of the problem and the recommended treatment option(s).
For instance, gingivitis might reverse in just a couple of weeks with more frequent flossing at home, whereas periodontitis can take several months to respond and might not be permanently fixed. In many cases, advanced gum disease requires ongoing commitment to routine cleanings and other maintenance.
What’s the best way to prevent gum disease?
Gum disease is incredibly common, but thankfully, it can also be prevented. Most patients can help avoid it by:
- Implementing a twice-daily at-home oral hygiene routine. Brushing alone removes an estimated 40% to 60% of plaque, tartar, and other harmful residue from your enamel. Flossing helps clear the remaining buildup to stop bacteria from penetrating your connective tissues and triggering an infection.
- Use products that work for you. If you struggle to maneuver string floss around your teeth, you might benefit from special flossers with an easier-to-grasp handle, or an oral irrigator, which uses a stream of gently pressurized water to clean your gums instead.
- Manage your general health. Certain medical conditions, like untreated diabetes, or prescription medications that cause dry mouth can increase the risk of gum disease, so it’s important to take care of your general well-being, too.
- Schedule routine exams. Seeing us twice annually for an exam and professional cleaning helps prevent periodontal problems, tooth decay, and chronic bad breath.