Give Your Gums The Care Your Smile Deserves
Periodontal disease is the most common dental health issue in the U.S., impacting more than 70% of people aged 65 and older, to some degree. In addition to age, contributing factors that can increase your risk of gum disease include poor oral hygiene and/or nutrition, tobacco use, genetics, stress, teeth clenching (bruxism) and specific systemic diseases. Gum disease is caused by bacterial plaque and associated toxins that can turn into tartar (calculus) if not adequately removed. Early-stage periodontal disease called gingivitis can cause inflammation, bleeding gums and gum infection. If gum disease progresses unchecked, you may develop periodontitis, advanced gum disease associated with formation of periodontal pockets and eventual tooth loss. At Vitality Dental, our dentist Dr. Holmes and Dr. Oakes with their hygienist emphasize the important role early detection and gum disease treatment play in preventive dentistry. If you’re experiencing red, swollen or tender gums that bleed when you brush, we encourage you to schedule gum disease treatment in Nashville, TN to protect your smile, oral health and systemic health. We partner with multiple insurance companies and offer third-party financing so that deductibles or co-pays don’t become a barrier to seeking prompt gum disease treatment.
Gum Disease Warning Signs
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Bleeding while brushing or flossing
- Receding gums
- Loose or separating teeth
- Pus between gums and teeth
- A change in bite or fit of partial dentures
Targeted Treatment for Gum Disease
The good news is gum disease is preventable—and curable in early stages! Every time you visit Vitality Dental for your biannual exam and cleaning, we perform gum screenings to ensure your gums are healthy or to detect inflammation before it damages your oral health. If you have gum disease, our dentist Dr. Holmes and Dr.Oakes offers different treatments targeted at stopping gum disease in its tracks, from early-stage gingivitis treatment in Nashville, TN to advanced-stage periodontitis treatment. To ensure you’re comfortable during treatment, you can choose from several sedation options. To prevent recurrent gum disease, it’s crucial to follow a good oral hygiene routine at home and get professional teeth cleanings and exams at least twice a year. With regular professional care, maintenance and good oral health habits, gum disease doesn’t have to damage your smile ever again!
Key Gum Disease Treatments
Scaling and Root Planing
If our dentist determines you have gum disease, the first line gingivitis treatment in Nashville, TN is a procedure called scaling and root planing. This is a deep cleaning focused specifically on the gums and roots of your teeth. During this procedure, our hygienists removes any plaque and bacteria from below your gumline, then gently smooths out the tooth roots. This reduces the likelihood of plaque and bacteria impacting your gums in the future and lowers the risk of reinfection.
Periodontal Maintenance
A few months after scaling and root planing, bacterial plaque can cause gum disease to recur. We recommend periodontal maintenance with deeper cleanings every three to four months to help keep your gums and teeth healthy. The severity of your gum disease, response to other soft tissue procedures, plaque growth rate and oral care at home will help our team determine how often you’ll need this done.
Gingivectomy
During a gingivectomy in Nashville, TN , diseased gum tissue is removed and/or reshaped to eliminate deep periodontal pockets that make it difficult to access and remove tartar. A gingivectomy is typically done before gum disease has damaged bone supporting your teeth. Removing the pocket walls provides greater visibility and accessibility to thoroughly remove tartar and smooth the tooth roots. While a gingivectomy was initially developed to treat gum disease, it can be done as a cosmetic procedure to reshape gums or to enable placement of a restoration.
Salivary Testing
Salivary testing is a type of diagnostic test that analyzes various components in a person's saliva to detect certain health conditions or monitor treatment progress. The test can measure hormones, antibodies, enzymes, and other molecules present in saliva. Salivary testing is often used in dental and medical fields to diagnose and manage conditions such as oral infections, autoimmune diseases, and hormonal imbalances. The collection of saliva is non-invasive and can be done easily in clinical or home settings.
Perio Protect Trays
Perio Protect Trays are a type of dental appliance used to manage periodontal (gum) disease. The trays are custom-made to fit a patient's teeth and gums and are designed to deliver medication directly to the pockets between the teeth and gums where bacteria thrive. The medication, typically a hydrogen peroxide solution, is delivered through the trays, which are worn for a short period each day.
Connective Tissue Graft
A connective tissue graft is a type of dental procedure that is used to treat gum recession, which occurs when the gum tissue surrounding the teeth begins to pull back, exposing the tooth roots. During the procedure, a small piece of tissue is removed from the roof of the patient's mouth and transplanted onto the affected area of the gum. The transplanted tissue is then sutured into place, where it integrates with the existing gum tissue, providing additional support and coverage to the exposed root.
Free Gingival Graft
A free gingival graft is a surgical dental procedure used to treat gum recession, which occurs when the gums surrounding the teeth start to pull back, exposing the tooth roots. During the procedure, a small piece of tissue is removed from the roof of the patient's mouth and transplanted onto the affected area of the gum.
Alloderm Graft
An Alloderm graft is a type of dental procedure used to treat gum recession, which occurs when the gum tissue surrounding the teeth begins to pull back, exposing the tooth roots. During the procedure, a small piece of donor tissue is harvested from a human cadaver and processed to remove all the cellular components, leaving behind a collagen matrix.
Connective Tissue Grafting
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