Gum Disease Treatment in Allen Park, MI

Your Guide to Maintaining Healthy Gums

Your gums are an essential component of your oral health. If they become infected, it can lead to a variety of consequences for your health including tooth loss and more. That’s why Dr. Cannon and our team at Allen Park Dentistry offer comfortable gum disease treatments to preserve the health of your smile.

Keep reading to learn about the causes and symptoms of gum disease, as well as how you can prevent it.

What Is Gum Disease?

Periodontal disease, commonly referred to as gum disease, is a bacterial infection that starts in your gum tissue and spreads throughout your mouth. The infection occurs as a result of built-up plaque in your gums, a substance that forms when bacteria stick to your teeth and harden. To prevent plaque from accumulating, make sure to brush and floss every day in addition to visiting our Allen Park practice for dental cleanings and exams.

Stages of Gum Disease

There are two primary stages of gum disease:

Gingivitis — During this early stage of gum disease, the infection is still mild and can often be reversed quickly. Your gums will look red and inflamed, but you’re unlikely to feel pain or other symptoms at this point.
Periodontitis — If you don’t seek treatment for gingivitis, the infection will progress to the more severe stage of periodontitis. At this point, the bacteria will start to destroy the bones and tissues that support your teeth. This can result in severe pain, tooth loss, and a wide range of other debilitating symptoms.

Treatment Options

At Allen Park Dentistry, Dr. Cannon and our team provide comfortable and effective solutions for gum disease. We’ll examine your gums to determine the severity of your infection, then work with you to find an ideal treatment plan.

Scaling & Root Planing

If you’re still in the early stages of gum disease, we can typically reverse the infection with scaling and root planing. This procedure involves using special dental tools to remove plaque above and below your gumline, leaving you with a fresh and sparkling smile.

Also known as deep cleaning, scaling and root planing is a non-invasive treatment that we can perform in just one office visit. By addressing gum disease early, you can avoid serious health consequences down the line.

ARESTIN® Gum Treatment

Our Allen Park family dental practice is proud to offer ARESTIN as a comfortable treatment for gum disease. This powerful antibiotic is applied to your gums to disinfect them and reduce the size of periodontal pockets for a faster recovery.

Typically, Dr. Cannon will use ARESTIN after performing a scaling and root planing procedure. After it’s been administered, the antibiotic will fight your infection for at least two weeks, helping to keep your mouth free of bacteria and restore your gums to full health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gum disease is caused by a build-up of harmful bacteria in your gums, typically from not brushing and flossing enough or skipping your routine dental check-ups. Without treatment, these bacteria stick to your teeth and harden into a substance called plaque, putting you at high risk for gum disease.

According to medical research, people who have gum disease are two to three times more likely to suffer from a heart attack, stroke, or other serious cardiovascular events. The exact link isn’t definitively known yet, but many medical professionals believe it’s linked to plaque traveling through your bloodstream into your arteries.

The connection may also have to do with the fact that gum disease causes inflammation, which can increase your risk of cardiovascular issues over time. While the research is far from finished, it’s clear that gum disease is harmful to your health and has some correlation with heart disease.

Gum disease can often be reversed if it’s treated before the condition becomes too severe. In the earliest stage of gingivitis, you may even be able to reverse it by improving your oral hygiene at home.

If you notice any signs of gum disease, we recommend scheduling an appointment so we can help you determine how severe it is. In most cases, Dr. Cannon will be able to treat your symptoms and provide relief with one of our periodontal solutions.

Visit Allen Park Dentistry For Gum Disease Treatment

Although it’s very common, gum disease shouldn’t be taken lightly. Without treatment, it can wreak havoc on your oral health and cause a wide range of uncomfortable symptoms. That’s why it’s crucial to be aware of the symptoms and get in touch with our Allen Park dentist at the first sign of a problem.

Call our practice at (313) 928-8848 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Cannon. He’ll examine your gums and determine a course of treatment that fits your unique needs.