Gum Disease Treatment - Colorado Springs, CO
Gum Disease Affects Over Fifty Percent of Adults
Schedule ConsultationGum Disease is a Common Concern
Gum (periodontal) disease is a very common, yet highly underdiagnosed disease that affects one out of every two adults over the age of 30. Many people do not recognize the symptoms of gum disease, as signs can be as common as bleeding gums to bad breath. Without treatment from a professional, gum disease can have serious consequences on your oral and systemic health. Gum disease begins as gingivitis, an infection of bacteria and plaque buildup that attacks the teeth and gums. When caught early, gingivitis is reversible. When ignored, this early stage of gum disease can develop into periodontitis and eventually advanced periodontitis, an incurable disease that damages the hard and soft tissues of your mouth, eventually causing jaw bone damage and tooth loss.
Common Symptoms of Gum Disease
- Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
- Constant bad breath (halitosis)
- Red, tender, and/or swollen gums
- Gum recession
- Loose teeth
Stages of Gum Disease
Gingivitis
- Red, Swollen, Inflamed Gums
- Bleeding When Brushing or Flossing
- Chronic Bad Breath
Periodontitis
- “Pockets” Form Between the Teeth and Gums
- Gum Recession
- Gaps Between the Teeth
Advanced Periodontitis
- Connective Tissues Destroyed
- Shifting or or Loose Teeth
- Tooth and Bone Loss
Prevention with Routine Checkups
We encourage all patients to routinely visit their dentist every six months to have their teeth and gums cleaned and examined for any signs of gum disease. By identifying this disease early on, we are more effectively able to treat the condition and prevent it from advancing to periodontitis. If you are affected by periodontitis or advanced periodontitis, we provide routine periodontal maintenance to keep the disease in check and prevent it from spreading. These maintenance visits are encouraged every three months to be most effective. When you come in for a checkup at Cheyenne Mountain Dental Group, we will look for any signs of gum disease and work with you to treat it in a timely, effective, and minimally invasive manner.
Our Gum Disease Treatments
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Laser Gum Therapy
Our office features state-of-the-art laser gum treatment using our BIOLASE® WaterLase® dental laser. This technology allows us to gently eliminate bacteria and infected gum tissue without harming healthy tissue. A dental laser involves no scalpels or sutures and can usually be done much quicker than traditional gum disease treatments. -
Osseous Surgery
The tried-and-true method for cleaning infection from teeth and gums, involves cutting away infected gum tissue, scraping tartar buildup off tooth roots, and reshaping the jaw bone to allow for adequate gum tissue reattachment. The objective is to remove infection below the gum line and reduce the depth of periodontal pockets. -
Scaling and Root Planing
A deep cleaning of the tooth roots to remove tartar and bacteria that has gathered below the gum line and along the tooth roots. Using small tools, our doctors will remove the buildup and smooth the roots to allow the gums to reattach. This is effective when treating a patient for gingivitis and helps prevent the disease from advancing.