Periodontal Therapy Castle Rock, WA
Safe Treatment for Improved Gum Health
You may be suffering from gum disease right now and not even know it. That’s how sneaky this common problem can be. We recommend that you visit our Castle Rock, WA dental office regularly for dental exams, during which we’ll look for gum disease and make recommendations about your need for periodontal therapy. Gum disease therapy in Castle Rock is how we non-surgically treat mild to moderate periodontal disease. We also offer surgical periodontal therapy in the form of flap procedures and guided tissue regeneration. If you have gum disease, you’re in good hands with Dr. Kennington at Cowlitz River Dental.
Do I Have Gum Disease?
There are many possible signs associated with gum disease. While the most noticeable symptom is bleeding gums when you brush and floss, there are others to be mindful of, such as:
- • Pus forming between your teeth and gums
- • Bad breath
- • Tender gums
- • Swollen and red gums
- • Teeth that appear longer than usual because of the gum tissue receding
- • Difficulty chewing
- • Loose teeth
- • Bone loss
- • Spaces between teeth
- • A change in your bite
How Can Gum Disease Affect the Whole Body?
Gum disease can certainly wreak havoc on the oral cavity, but it can cause serious problems for the body as well. Once bacteria and inflammation enter the bloodstream, they can travel to various parts of the body (i.e., brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, gut, etc.) and cause everything from diabetes to dementia. Researchers have spent years studying the connection between gum disease and various heart, brain, and lung conditions, which is why it is important to maintain regular dental checkups and cleanings to ensure optimal gum health.
What Happens if I’m Diagnosed with Gum Disease?
If you are diagnosed with gum disease, you’ll be pleased to learn there are several different possible treatments, and the one we choose will depend on the level of disease. We might recommend more diligent flossing, non-surgical periodontal therapy, or a flap procedure. One of the things we are careful to do is to determine your body's response to treatment and resistance to gum disease so we can treat at the simplest level possible.
At Cowlitz River Dental in Castle Rock, WA, we also offer a number of oral surgery options for those suffering from soft tissue and bone damage. Because gum disease can damage the bone if left untreated for too long, your periodontal therapy may also include bone grafting or guided tissue regeneration.
By incorporating bone grafting into your treatment plan, we can rebuild and repair the damage caused by gum disease by placing bone from another part of your mouth or use tissue from a donor bank. Once placed into the designated area, the new and existing bone will fuse and create healthier, stronger bone.
With guided tissue regeneration, we can insert a biocompatible material between the existing bone and tooth, allowing the destroyed bone to grow back and keep other tissue from entering the area.
Explore your options for gum disease treatment at Cowlitz River Dental – make an appointment with Dr. Kennington today. Our Castle Rock location serves patients from southwestern Washington communities in and around Lewis and Cowlitz Counties and northwestern Oregon communities in and around Columbia County. In order to make sure your smile stays as healthy as possible, we offer periodontal therapy as part of our general dentistry care.