Gum Treatment

Why do I need gum treatment?

If your gums are unhealthy, your teeth and oral bones are at increased risk for damage, injury, and disease. Protecting the health of your gums is an essential part of quality dental care.

You may need expert gum treatment if you have conditions such as:

• Gingivitis or gum disease
  
• Periodontal disease
  
• Receding gums
  
• Gummy smile, or excessive gum tissue
  
• Abscess or oral infection
  

Dr. Zhang assesses your gum health during routine dental exams and whenever you have symptoms of gum problems. If you think you have unhealthy gums, you should schedule a dental assessment as soon as possible. Putting off gum treatment could cause long-term damage to your gums, teeth, or bone, as well as tooth loss and increased risk for systemic infection.

What are symptoms that may indicate I need gum treatment?

If you have the following symptoms, it may indicate that you need treatment to improve the health of your gums:

• Bleeding gums before or after brushing
  
• Swollen or tender gums
  
• Exposed roots of your teeth
  
• Red or inflamed gums
  
• Slow-healing sores or abscesses on the gums
  
• Pockets between gums and teeth
  
• Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth
  
• Shifting or loose teeth
  

If you have these symptoms of unhealthy gums, Dr. Zhang develops a personalized plan of care that improves your oral health and treats the underlying cause of your gum issues.

What are the different types of gum treatments?

If your gums are unhealthy, the Beacon Dental Center team may recommend either surgical or nonsurgical treatments. In addition to improved at-home dental hygiene, nonsurgical treatments include:

• Dental cleaning
  
• Periodontal cleaning
  
• Root scaling and planing
  
• Antibiotic treatment
  
• Medicated oral rinses
  

In some cases, you may require oral surgery to improve your gum health. Possible surgical options include tooth extraction, gum grafting, bone grafting, pocket repair, or gum tissue removal.

If you need oral surgery, Dr. Zhang has over 15 years of experience as an oral surgeon who offers holistic treatments to improve your dental health.

For a consultation about gum treatments that may improve your health, call or schedule an appointment online with Beacon Dental Center today.