Periodontal Disease Treatment in Edison, NJ
How Do You Treat Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) is one of the most common health problems on the plant, as well as the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the United States. While the infection starts out with mild symptoms, untreated cases can quickly threaten your smile and your overall health as well. Thankfully, our team at Rosenfeld Dental Associates offers several treatment options for combating the dangerous effects of gum disease at every stage. Don’t hesitate to contact our Edison, NJ location if you’re experiencing common symptoms, such as bleeding gums.
Microscopic Monitoring
Our staff takes the threat of gum disease very seriously, which is why we screen for its presence during every regular checkup. Microscopic monitoring allows us to discover warning signs of the infection at its earliest stages and before any real damage has occurred. As a result, we can instruct patients on how to care for their smile and eliminate their risk. Alternatively, if the patient is already experiencing a breakdown of the tissues, this advanced technique assists our dentists in identifying the cause and treating the condition in a non-invasive fashion.
Learn More About Microscopic Monitoring
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing, more commonly known as deep cleaning, is a complete bacterial debridement that is aimed at eliminating the cause of gum disease. Dr. Rosenfeld will target harmful bacteria underneath the gum tissue and clean the area using small instruments and anti-bacterial solutions to eliminate the primary cause of the disease and keep your gums and bone healthy. In some cases, like for patients with gingivitis, this treatment can reverse the condition altogether.
Signs You May Need Scaling & Root Planing
Dr. Rosenfeld often recommends scaling and root planing once gum disease has surpassed a certain severity, leading to other symptoms besides bleeding gums while flossing. Some of these signs include:
- Gum recession that makes the teeth appear longer
- Chronic bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth
- Shifting or loose teeth
- Difficulty or pain while chewing
- Visible inflammation and redness of the gums
- Visible plaque and tartar accumulation
Our team will make you aware of why we’re recommending scaling and root planing in Edison before conducting the procedure, helping you understand the importance of treatment. Then, once you consent to moving forward, we’ll get to work restoring the health of your gums!
The Scaling & Root Planing Process
Scaling and root planing typically takes place over the course of two appointments. First, one of our dental hygienists will thoroughly remove all plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth, as far down as the pockets of the gums. The gum pockets are often where the bacteria collect and is the origin of the infection.
After scaling is complete, we’ll go on to the root planing process. This involves smoothing out the roots of the teeth hidden below the gumline by removing hardened deposits of bacteria. The goal is to allow the gums to healthily reattach to the teeth to continue providing this vulnerable area with much-needed protection from bacteria.
Aftercare Tips for Deep Cleanings
After your deep cleaning, you can expect to feel numb for several hours due to the local anesthetic that we’ll administer at the beginning of your treatment. Avoid eating for at least a couple of hours following your procedure so you don’t accidentally bite your tongue or cheek. For several days after your treatment, rinse with saltwater to keep your mouth clean and continue brushing and flossing like normal, being careful around your gums. If you have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team.
Antibiotic Therapy
In order to maximize treatment results for patients with gum disease, our team combines anti bacterial therapy with the above services. Often, just antiseptics are used but sometimes an antibiotic or a combination of antibiotics is used. We prescribe specific toothpastes depending on your diagnoses. A personalized home care regimen is developed for each patient. Our goal is to keep you infection free for a lifetime.