Periodontal Disease in Arvada CO

Periodontal Disease Treatment Arvada CODo you see blood in the sink when you brush your teeth? It could be sign that you’re brushing too hard or using a toothbrush with bristles that are too firm.

Or it could be a sign that you have periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is incredibly common. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about half of all adults in the U.S. have some form of this chronic infection and that percentage dramatically increases as people get older.

It’s bad enough that periodontal disease does a lot of damage to the soft tissues and bone structures that support your teeth, but recent research has also shown that gum disease is linked to a number of serious systemic health conditions including diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease, and stroke. Pregnant women with periodontal disease are also more likely to give birth to low-birth-weight babies.

While excellent home care and regular visits with Dr. Compton are important steps to preventing gum disease, sometimes, often because of genetics, periodontal disease cannot be prevented. When it occurs, prompt and appropriate treatment will help mitigate the effects of the disease and preserve or restore your periodontal health.

Hain Bacterial Testing for Periodontal Disease

Before we prepare to fight your disease, it helps to know what we’re up against. At Generations Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we use the Hain testing system to help us identify the particular strain of bacteria that is posing the problem (this also helps to determine whether your symptoms are truly caused by periodontal disease or if there’s another culprit we should be looking for). We can also educate you about how the same bacteria found in your mouth have been found in artery-clogging plaques in and around your heart.

Once we’ve identified the problem, we can target your treatment appropriately for the most effective care plan.

Periodontal Disease Arvada CoTreating Periodontal Disease

In gum disease’s earliest stages, known as gingivitis, you may only need to improve your home hygiene technique, which our hygienist, Dayna, will be happy to help you with. We may also recommend an antimicrobial product to help eliminate the bacteria contributing to the infection.

If the disease has progressed, we may need to take a more aggressive approach. One such treatment we may recommend is a deep cleaning procedure called scaling and root planing. Our dental laser allows us to carefully and precisely work beneath the gumline to eliminate bacteria and smooth the surfaces of your roots to prevent reinfection. Performing this treatment with the laser allows for a more efficient procedure and a faster healing time with less risk of bleeding or other complications.

As periodontal disease progresses, it can cause your gums to pull away from your teeth, creating pockets. These pockets tend to trap bacteria, which leads to a cycle of disease. We may recommend pocket reduction to help your gums fit more tightly around your teeth and eliminate the bacteria’s preferred home.

Call for Your Check-Up and Evaluation

Routine check-ups and cleanings are vital for both prevention and early detection of periodontal disease. If it’s time for a cleaning, please call our Arvada dental office today to schedule your appointment.