561.247.3730
Gum Disease Treatment
Laser Soft-Tissue Management
Dr. Goldman is able to treat gum disease using a soft tissue laser. He can treat gingivitis (mild to intermediate gum disease) and mild to moderate periodontitis (advanced gum disease.)
A soft-tissue laser reduces the bacteria therefore promoting quick healing.
Treating gum disease
Dr. Goldman employs a combination of scaling and root planing and soft-tissue laser to rid your gums of harmful bacteria. While the usual treatment of scaling and root planing removes much of the bacteria, it can't eliminate it all, thus interfering with normal healing.
After performing deep cleaning, Dr. Goldman uses the soft-tissue laser to disinfect the pockets over the course of three appointments separated by 10 days. The disinfection process allows the gums to begin, and continue to heal during successive appointments.
The soft tissue laser management is a virtually painless procedure that uses a beam of high-powered light to disinfect the pockets completely of bacteria.
What is gum disease and what causes it?
Gum disease is the #1 cause of adult tooth loss in the US!
In a healthy state, the gums around your teeth are tight, pink, do not bleed when they are gently probed, and there is very little space between the gums and the teeth for bacteria to build up.
If bacteria are not removed effectively, the first stage of gum disease is that your gums can start to bleed and may become red and swollen (gingivitis). This may not be readily visible, especially in between and around the back teeth, but the space between the gums and teeth becomes bigger. The bacteria now have somewhere to hide.
As the space deepens, the bacteria change and become more aggressive. Your body starts to fight this infection. The combination of the bacteria and your body's response to them, leads to loss of bone that supports the teeth. This is periodontal disease or periodontitis ("peri" meaning around, "dont" meaning tooth and "itis" meaning inflammation or infection).
Therefore, the most important thing to do is correctly diagnose the presence and severity of gum disease. We test your gums for signs of gum disease and severity and then an appropriate plan can be made to prevent the spread and progression of the disease.
Contributing factors to gum disease
Factors that contribute to gum disease include:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Irregular professional dental cleanings
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Certain medications
- Defective fillings
- Crooked teeth
- Systemic diseases
Symptoms of gum disease
Warning signs of gum disease are:
- Gums that bleed during tooth brushing
- Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
- Persistent bad breath or bad taste
- Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
- Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
A healthy lifestyle, regular brushing and flossing, and regular visits to the dentist for cleanings are the best way to keep your gums healthy and to avoid gum disease.
To book an appointment with Dr. Goldman to get started on your gum disease treatment, or to check for gum disease, call 561-247-3730 or click here to schedule online.
