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Gum Disease Treatment – Worcester, MA

Give Your Teeth a Healthy Home!

Teeth get most of the attention when people talk about oral health. However, gum tissue is extremely important to oral health and should not be overlooked. Without healthy gum tissue, it’s impossible for teeth to maintain a stable foundation in your jaw. This is why gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss. Thankfully, our dental office is equipped to stop and reverse the signs of gum disease through periodontal therapy. If your gums feel tender or look inflamed, don’t wait to call our dental office!

Why Choose University Dental Group for Gum Disease Treatment?

  • Comprehensive Antibiotic Therapy to Improve Treatment
  • Experienced and Detailed-Oriented Dental Professionals
  • VA-Approved for Veterans in Need of Care

What is Gum Disease?

Closeup of patient with red, inflamed gums

With roughly 50% of the population struggling with this oral health problem, you may have heard of gum disease over the years. But what exactly is it? In short, it’s when the tissues responsible for supporting your teeth have developed an infection. At first, the symptoms are relatively minor and can be addressed with a commitment to a solid oral hygiene regimen. If it isn’t addressed, then the infection can progress, wreaking havoc on your oral and overall health in the process.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

Woman looking at teeth and gums in bathroom mirror

At your biannual appointments, one of our talented Worcester dentists will conduct a thorough oral exam, looking for warning signs of gum disease in the process. Between visits, it’s important that you also keep an eye out for abnormal symptoms that could be the result of an infection, including:

  • Red, swollen, or inflamed gums
  • Gum recession
  • Bleeding gums
  • A change in your bite
  • Loose teeth

How Do We Treat Gum Disease?

Female patient smiling at dentist at dental appointment

The treatment we recommend depends entirely on your specific dental needs. That’s why we need to take X-rays and examine your gums first! Once we have an idea of how severe the infection is, we can review your treatment options and share our recommendations. Rest assured, we will answer any questions you have and review the price before moving forward with the necessary care.

Scaling & Root Planing

Animation of scaling and root planing process

When advanced gum disease has developed, the most effective solution is a series of scaling and root planing appointments. We recommend patients who have advanced gum disease to visit our dental office for scaling and root planing once every three to four months. Not only is continuous treatment necessary for gum disease, but it allows the gums time to heal so treatment can be completed. With scaling, we can remove plaque and tartar deposits from below the gum line. Root planing works to smooth out the tooth roots, allowing for the gums to reattach to the gum line and prevent future recession.

Antibiotic Treatment

Animation of smile and bacteria

Typically done in tandem with scaling and root planing, antibiotic therapy is performed to improve the healing process of your gum tissue. After we’ve completed scaling and root planing of your gums, we’ll apply an antibiotic directly to the newly formed pockets in between your teeth. Over time, the active ingredients in the antibiotics will release, breaking down bacteria and reducing the risk of future infection. During your follow-up appointment, we’ll confirm if the antibiotics are working as prescribed.