Gum Disease Treatment – Fresno, CA
Give Your Smile the Foundation It Needs
Most people tend to think about their teeth when practicing oral care at home or visiting our dental office. However, your gums are just as important for a number of reasons. Your gums are responsible for protecting vulnerable areas of your teeth (i.e. the roots), as well as providing ample stability when chewing your favorite foods. If your gums feel tender and sensitive or appear red and inflamed, you’ll want to give our dental office a call for gum disease treatment in Fresno.
Why Choose Shinkawa Dental for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Chao Pinhole Technique Utilized In-House
- Relaxing Sedation Dentistry Available
- Dentists Focused on Patient-Centered Care
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is an infection caused by bacteria in plaque and tartar buildup, which often results from poor oral hygiene. The infection initially causes red, swollen, and bleeding gums, called gingivitis, which is the first stage of gum disease. With no treatment, the infection can destroy the supporting structures of your teeth, which may ultimately lead to tooth loss. Gum disease has also been linked to an increased risk of various health concerns, including heart disease, Alzheimer's, and diabetes.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Gingivitis can cause gum inflammation and redness. Your gums may also bleed easily when brushing or flossing. Over time, you can develop chronic bad breath, gum recession, and pus near your tooth roots. If advanced periodontitis occurs, your teeth can begin to shift, loosen, and fall out.
How Do We Treat Gum Disease?
There's no one-size-fits-all solution to treat gum disease. Your dentist will create an individualized strategy to treat the infection based on your needs, which may include:
Scaling & Root Planing
When gum disease has passed the first stages of development, professional intervention is necessary to stop the infection from spreading. This deep cleaning process may include scaling and root planing, a two-part treatment designed to promote the healing of the gums and reduce the risk of reinfection. Scaling works to remove plaque and tartar from areas above and beneath the gum line while root planing works to smooth out the tooth roots so they can better reattach to the gums. Here’s a quick look at how the scaling and root planing process works at Shinkawa Dental, but please contact our office if you’d like to learn more.
Do I Need Scaling & Root Planing?
Gum disease begins as gingivitis, which is mild inflammation of the gum tissue that can usually be reversed by improving your oral hygiene habits. However, untreated gum disease will eventually develop into periodontitis, which is a destructive infection that causes permanent damage and must be treated by a qualified oral health professional. One of the Drs. Shinkawa may recommend scaling and root planing if you exhibit symptoms like:
- Bleeding during brushing and flossing sessions
- Gum recession
- Dental sensitivity caused by gum recession
- Persistent halitosis that can’t be resolved with a thorough oral hygiene session
- Swelling or puffiness of the gums
- Visible plaque accumulations
- A foul, sour, or bitter taste in your mouth that won’t go away
The Process of Scaling & Root Planing
The scaling and root planing process can be broken into two stages and typically takes two appointments to complete. The treatment normally goes like this:
- Scaling: During your first session, Dr. Shinkawa will carefully remove plaque deposits from your teeth and gumline using specialized instruments.
- Root planing: About two weeks later, you’ll come back to our office in Fresno to receive root planing. This involves our dentist carefully cleaning plaque and tartar from the dental roots and smoothing them out so they can more easily reintegrate with the soft tissues. This will help prevent future infections.
Aftercare Tips for Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing can be an intensive process, so it may take several weeks for your teeth and gums to recover afterward. You can expect to experience discomfort and increased sensitivity while you are healing, but you can help yourself stay comfortable by adhering to the aftercare instructions we will provide you. These will probably include items like:
- Rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater to loosen food debris and ease inflammation.
- Being especially gentle when cleaning your teeth after treatment.
- Avoiding foods and beverages that are sweet, spicy, acidic, chewy, crunchy, alcoholic, or especially hot while you are healing.
- Abstaining from tobacco use while recovering.
- Sticking to a soft diet for at least the first 48 hours after treatment.
- Refraining from intense physical activity for several days after treatment.
Chao Pinhole Technique
Our dental office is proud to offer the Chao Pinhole Technique. As one of the first dental offices to offer this treatment in Fresno, those with significant plaque buildup on their teeth can expect fantastic results. By creating a small hole in the gum tissue, we can access areas of the mouth, gently loosen the gum tissue, and reduce the need for treatments like gum grafting or surgery. This option is best for those with severe gum disease and exposed tooth roots.
Don't ignore the signs of gum disease. Request an appointment through our website or call our office at (559) 272-4441.