Gum Disease Treatment Jacksonville
Revitalize Your Gums & Entire Smile
Statistics show an estimated 47% of adults in the U.S. are living with some form of gum disease. Among those aged 65 and older, the percentage is 70%. Unfortunately, many individuals don’t know they have it, resulting in worsening oral and overall health conditions. Without proper treatment, the risk of bone and tooth loss drastically increases, as well as the possibility of diabetes, heart disease, cognitive decline, and more.
Our team at Baldwin Dental of Jacksonville: Root Canal and General Dentistry takes gum disease very seriously. If you’ve recently noticed bleeding gums or other signs of an infection, call us right away to discuss your options for gum disease treatment in Jacksonville.
Why Choose Baldwin Dental of Jacksonville: Root Canal and General Dentistry for Gum Disease Treatment?
- We See Dental Patients Fast
- Open 5 Days a Week
- Small Town Feel, Big City Quality
What is Gum Disease?
When the soft oral tissues that surround your teeth become inflamed and begin to bleed because of harmful bacteria attacking the area, you have what is known as gum disease. What can begin as the first stage – gingivitis – can quickly turn into a more advanced form known as periodontitis. This is when symptoms are no longer reversible; instead, they must be addressed and managed over time to lower the risk of bad bacteria returning.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Although our team can indicate whether gum disease is present based on our evaluation, there are symptoms you can watch for at home, too, such as:
- A change in your bite
- Bleeding and inflamed gums
- Tender and reddening gums
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Loose permanent teeth
- Gum recession (teeth that appear longer)
How Do We Treat Gum Disease
At Baldwin Dental of Jacksonville: Root Canal and General Dentistry, we offer three treatment options for gum disease treatment in Jacksonville: scaling and root planing, antibiotic therapy, and laser periodontal therapy. We will develop a plan to improve your gum health.
Scaling & Root Planing
While advanced gum disease can’t be fully cured, it can still be effectively treated and managed to prevent further harm to your smile and body. This is where scaling and root planing come into play. With scaling, we can remove the plaque and tartar that have built up around and below the gumline, helping reduce the presence of harmful oral bacteria. Root planing follows scaling and involves smoothing and reducing the number of rough surfaces on tooth roots, thereby reducing the number of places where bacteria can build up.
Antibiotic Therapy
Once scaling and root planing have been performed, antibiotic therapy is usually used to eliminate any remaining bacteria. Using these antibiotics can make a dramatic difference in reducing the levels of bacteria still present in the mouth in the weeks and months following periodontal treatment. Different antibiotics might be used depending on your circumstances. In any case, we’ll explain our recommendations thoroughly so that you understand what to expect throughout the therapy.
Laser Periodontal Treatment
When gum disease cannot be adequately treated with traditional instruments, our team can use a soft tissue laser to target bacteria in the smallest areas of the gum pockets. With laser periodontal therapy, we can use concentrated light energy to remove harmful particles without touching healthy tissues. During this process, the laser will cauterize the area to reduce bleeding and swelling, enabling a faster recovery.