Periodontal Therapy – Syracuse, NY

Fight Gum Disease Today for a Healthy Tomorrow

At Creative Dental Concepts of CNY, we understand the importance of complete oral healthcare, which is why we offer periodontal therapy—a treatment for gum disease. If you’re like millions of others, you may have an infection in your gum tissue that can affect the rest of your mouth and even your body. Dr. Gregory A. Craybas offers various treatment options to keep you smiling with happiness and health. Keep reading to learn more about periodontal therapy in Syracuse.

What is Periodontal Disease?

Gum disease (also referred to as periodontal disease), a chronic inflammation and infection of the gums and surrounding tissue, is the major cause of about 70% of adult tooth loss, affecting three out of four people at some point in their lives. In its earlier stages, gum disease can be treated, however if it persists, it can cause permanent tissue damage, jawbone deterioration, and even tooth loss.

The Common Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

Because gum disease has a better chance of being completely reversed if it’s caught early on, it’s important to know and recognize these common warning signs:

• Tender or sensitive gums
• Puffy or swollen gums
• Red gums
• Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
• Persistent bad breath
• Teeth that appear longer
• Changes in bite

Periodontal Therapy Options

Dr. Craybas, working closely with our professional dental hygienists, will design a personalized program for you to help prevent periodontal disease from developing or to minimize the negative effects of the disease that already exist. One of the gum disease treatment options we have to offer is called scaling and root planing. This service involves scaling the smile to remove any plaque buildup from above, on, and beneath your gumline. Next, we will reach under your gums to smooth out your tooth roots, making it harder for bacteria to collect and cause infection.

We also offer antibiotic therapy, where we will simply prescribe you medication that you can take orally. These antibiotics will fight the bacteria causing inflammation in your gums. This solution is often used in tandem with scaling and root planing to effectively fight off infection.

How to Prevent Periodontal Disease at Home

Since bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on the teeth, is recognized as the primary cause of gum disease, regular dental hygiene visits are imperative to remove this causative factor. When plaque calcifies in your mouth into calculus, the periodontal disease process is well on its way. There are many other contributing factors to periodontal disease, including heredity, smoking, poor nutrition, stress and other diseases that interfere with the body’s immune system, which are sometimes more difficult to control.

Thankfully, you can lower your risk of this problem dramatically by practicing a good oral healthcare routine. In addition to visiting our office for regular checkups, you should brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each session. Also, flossing will remove plaque and food debris from in between your teeth to keep your gums clean. You can even add a nonalcoholic mouthwash to your routine for an extra layer of cleaning.

If you have any questions, or if you’ve noticed any of the common signs and symptoms, contact our office right away!