Gum Disease Treatment – Rockville, MD
Eliminate the Infection,
Restore Your Healthy Smile
Did you know that untreated gum disease could jeopardize your oral health? Not only that, but several studies have found that it’s associated with serious conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. That’s why it’s so important to keep an eye out for common warning signs, like bleeding when you floss. Then, schedule an appointment with Dr. Sanker so he can determine if you’d benefit from gum disease treatment in Rockville!
Why Choose Robert J. Sanker, DDS for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Prosthodontist with Decades of Experience
- Dental Insurance and Flexible Financing Welcome
- Appointments Available Monday Through Friday
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your natural teeth. It affects approximately 80% of the American population in some capacity, and it has multiple stages of severity:
- Gingivitis: In the early stage, gum disease is known as gingivitis. With gingivitis, your gums may turn red, purple, swell, and bleed after brushing or flossing. At this stage, gum disease is still easily reversible with a professional dental cleaning from Dr. Sanker, followed by increased daily brushing and flossing.
- Periodontitis: In the later stage, known as periodontitis, the disease can lead to the degeneration of the healthy tissue and bone that support your teeth. This may cause your teeth to loosen and shift in your mouth. This stage usually progresses slowly, but there can be periods of rapid progression. Aggressive periodontitis often occurs in patients who are otherwise healthy.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Worried about the health of your gums? You may have gum disease if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Bleeding gums, especially when brushing or flossing
- Swollen or tender gums
- Bright red gums
- Receding gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Bite problems due to shifting teeth
- Visible pus between the teeth and gums
Many of the early warning signs of gum disease are subtle and cannot always be detected at home. This is one reason why visiting a dentist in Rockville every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning is so important.
The Importance of Treating Gum Disease
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in America and has been proven to contribute to a variety of other health concerns as well. Men and women with untreated periodontal disease are significantly more likely to develop potentially life-threatening conditions, including:
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Pre-term birth and low birth weight in pregnant women
- Complications in patients with diabetes
- Dementia
- Certain forms of cancer, including oral cancer, pancreatic cancer, and cancer of the blood
- Respiratory illnesses, including pneumonia
- Osteoporosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Fortunately, it is possible to drastically reduce your risk of developing these and other complications with regular visits to our office for periodontal therapy.
How Do We Treat Gum Disease?
Naturally, it is best to work toward gum disease prevention before the disease develops in the first place. That’s why your biannual dental checkups and cleanings are so important! If we do find an active infection in your gums, then we can treat it in the early stages, preventing issues like tooth loss in the process.
Scaling & Root Planing
Fortunately, Dr. Sanker can often reverse your gum disease symptoms with a series of gentle but effective scaling and root planing appointments. With these techniques, you’ll be able to enjoy a healthier and safer gum line in the long run by making it more difficult for bacteria, plaque, and tartar to settle around your smile.
Do I Need Scaling & Root Planing?
Otherwise known as a “deep cleaning,” scaling and root planing is a process of thoroughly removing plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums before smoothening out the roots for improved oral health. This gum disease treatment typically consists of two appointments and is one of the best ways to address early indications of periodontal problems. If our team notices swelling, bleeding, or inflammation ahead of time, we can help prevent the disease from worsening or developing permanent damage to your grin.
The Process of Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling is the process of removing plaque and tartar from the top surface of your teeth to underneath the gum line. If you have developed gum pocketing, deep pockets around your smile will have formed, allowing tartar deposits to form underneath your gum line. After arriving for your appointment, our team will first carefully and thoroughly scrape off any plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums by using special dental tools.
After performing the scaling portion, we can move on to root planing. This technique involves smoothing your root surfaces and removing any infected tissue structure so that bacteria are discouraged from repopulating the pockets. Not only will your gums be able to heal more effectively and reattach to your teeth easily, but this method can also significantly reduce your chances of gum disease popping up again down the road.
Aftercare Tips for Scaling & Root Planing
Soreness is perhaps the biggest and most common thing to experience after undergoing scaling and root planing, but it can be quite simple to manage. This should typically be temporary and fade away on its own, and you can even make your aftercare process smoother by doing the following:
- Brush twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush
- Floss carefully once a day or after meals
- Rinse your mouth with saltwater, especially after eating
- Refrain from eating hot, spicy, or acidic foods
- Avoid doing excessive physical activity following your treatment
- Eat softer foods for at least 48 hours after your appointment
Gum Disease FAQs
Do you want to know more about gum disease treatment in Rockville? If so, Dr. Robert Sanker and our expert staff have compiled some of the most common questions and answered them below.
What’s the Difference Between Gingivitis and Periodontitis?
Gingivitis is the earliest and most common form of gum disease. While many individuals with gingivitis experience red, swollen, or bleeding gums, other people show no visible symptoms at all. At this stage, gum disease can usually be reversed with daily brushing and flossing and regular cleanings by a dental professional.
Periodontitis, on the other hand, is a more advanced form of gum disease. During this stage, gums can recede, the gaps around teeth can deepen, and the infection may even start to damage the bone supporting your teeth. Unlike gingivitis, periodontitis can typically only be treated, not cured.
How Much Does Gum Disease Treatment in Rockville Cost?
The cost of treating gum disease varies from person to person and depends in large part on the severity of the case. For instance, overcoming gingivitis may only require buying a new toothbrush and floss and scheduling an extra professional cleaning. If your infection has advanced to periodontitis, however, more comprehensive treatment such as scaling and planing or even laser therapy may be necessary. Because every case is unique, the best way to determine the cost of periodontal therapy for you is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sanker.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Gum Disease Treatment?
Your dental insurance may cover part or all of the cost of periodontal therapy. However, every insurance plan is different, so be sure to contact your insurance provider before scheduling treatment. If you would like help understanding your insurance coverage, do not hesitate to ask! Whether you are a returning or new patient, our knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist you in navigating the ins and outs of your specific plan and maximizing your benefits.
Can Gum Disease Be Prevented?
It isn’t difficult to prevent periodontal infections; in fact, all it takes is a good oral health regimen at home and routine hygiene visits with Dr. Sanker and our team. During these biannual appointments, your teeth and gums will be thoroughly assessed and cleaned. The removal of accumulated plaque and tartar is a vital step in the process of preserving gum health.