Periodontal Disease Treatment – Wakefield, MA
Keeping Your Gums Healthy & Safe
At Schumacher Dental, our mission is to ensure the health of all of our patients. That’s why we offer periodontal disease treatment, also known as gum disease therapy, to help you smile. Gum disease is a dental issue that you may not even know you’re affected by, which is why you should be able to recognize its symptoms. Keep reading to learn more about gum disease, how it’s treated, and how you can prevent it in the first place!
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a common problem that affects about half of the American population. Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is an infection and inflammation of the gums that is usually caused by poor dental hygiene. When you don’t regularly floss, bacteria and plaque buildup along the gumline, inflaming and infecting the tissue. If caught early on, gum disease can be completely reversed. However, if you let the problem persist, it can result in permanent tissue damage, bone deterioration, tooth loss, and more.
Signs of Gum Disease
Because recognizing that you’re affected by gum disease is the first step toward a healthy smile, it’s important to know these common warning signs:
- Swollen or puffy gums
- Tender or sensitive gums
- Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
- Red gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Teeth that appear longer
- Pockets beneath teeth
- Changes in bite
Gum Disease Treatment Options
Dr. Schumacher makes periodontal disease treatment in Wakefield, MA easy and effective. He offers scaling and root planing, which is a combination of treatments that allows you to smile with health once more. After scaling your smile to remove plaque and tartar buildup above and below the gum line, he will reach under the gums to smooth out your tooth roots. This makes it harder for plaque and bacteria to catch under the gums and infect them in the future. This treatment combined with regular dental checkups and cleanings will help keep you smiling and disease free.
How to Maintain Gum Health
Thankfully, gum disease is completely preventable if you know the proper steps to take. That’s why Dr. Schumacher has included some easy tips for healthy gums:
- Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each session—paying close attention to your gumline.
- Floss once a day to remove food debris from in between your teeth and off your gums.
- Add a nonalcoholic mouthwash to your dental hygiene routine.
- Visit our office for regular checkups and cleanings.
- Avoid poor lifestyle habits like tobacco use and heavy consumption of alcohol.
If you have any questions, or if you’ve noticed changes in the health of your gums, please don’t hesitate to contact our office today!