Periodontal Care
Your Family Dentist in Baltimore
We look forward to building meaningful relationships with each of our patients so that you feel assured that all of your questions, concerns, and needs are answered and met. Give our team at Matthew Wallengren, DDS a call at (410) 435-1234 to schedule your appointment!
Periodontal Care
Gum health is a very important component to your overall oral health. If you don’t care for your gums properly, it can lead to problems. This is often avoidable by getting regular dental care every six months, and by making sure that you are practicing proper oral hygiene. However, if you struggle to maintain the health of your gums, we can help you here at Matthew Wallengren, DDS.
The first part of the approach is to do what can be done to prevent gum disease in the first place. If gum disease does become apparent, then scaling and root planing are the next part of that process. We also have the ability to reshape your gums after gum disease treatment using lasers that we have here in the office.
Preventing Gum Disease
There are many things that you can do to prevent gum disease. This includes simple things like brushing two times per day, flossing once per day, and coming in to see us for a thorough cleaning every six months can go a long way towards preventing gum disease. You can also do things like not smoking or chewing tobacco, and avoiding drugs and alcohol to make sure that your gums are in optimal health. Some medications also have gum-related side effects, so if you are on one, you may want to speak with your doctor about switching to another type of medication whenever possible.
Scaling and Root Planing
When your gums become inflamed, one of the treatments we can offer is scaling and root planing. This is when we take a scaler and slide it under your gums, removing the plaque and tartar buildup from beneath the gum line. We then clean up the roots of your teeth, making sure to remove all bacteria that may be hiding below the gum line. Once this is done, we make sure to place antibiotics in the gap that is left behind, when necessary. During the next few weeks, you may be placed on oral antibiotics, depending on how many bacteria were found below your gum line. This will allow your gums to heal without the worry of an infection showing up after the procedure is over.
Laser-Assisted Tissue Reshaping
One of the most common side effects of gum disease is receding gums. This can leave your teeth weak because there is not enough gum tissue left to hold the tooth in place firmly. By reshaping your gums, they can be set up to look better, and hold your teeth in place more effectively. This procedure is considered painless by most people, and it leaves you with a pleasing shape to your gums that can help them resist bacteria. Plus, with the fact that the laser instantly kills any bacteria it encounters, it leaves your mouth, more specifically your gums, healthier for having the procedure done.
If you need help caring for your gums properly, then give our offices a call. We can examine your mouth to see just how healthy your gums are to start, and if they need help, you can talk with Dr. Wallengren about what type of treatment options you have. If your gum problems are in the early stages, you may be able to get by with only scaling and root planing. However, if your gum problems are more severe, more invasive treatments will become necessary.
