Periodontal Laser Therapy
Periodontal Laser Therapy in Aurora, CO
Did you know that periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, affects about 85% of adults in the United States? That makes periodontal disease more common than cancer or heart disease, two of the most prevalent health issues in the county.
The dental team at Associates in Family Dentistry in Aurora, CO, treats patients in any stage of oral health. We’ll work to prevent periodontitis from causing pain, weak teeth, and other permanent side effects. Diagnosing gum disease and creating an effective treatment plan begins with a simple examination, so contact us today to schedule an appointment.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Gum disease can be classified as either gingivitis or periodontitis. Gingivitis is the early-stage form of periodontitis, and it can be reversed with a deep cleaning and careful monitoring by our dental team. If left untreated, however, gum disease can progress to periodontitis, which is the more severe form of gum disease.
Even with mild gingivitis, gum disease is always a serious threat to your health because it impacts more than just your teeth. Since gingivitis and periodontitis are infections, the bacteria can quickly spread to other parts of your body. There are some studies that indicate that gum disease can increase the risk of heart disease, respiratory problems, osteoporosis, diabetes complications, and more.
Common Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
In its early and mild stages, you probably won’t notice any symptoms of gum disease unless you make regular appointments for dental exams. You might experience red, tender, bleeding, or swollen gums when you brush or floss. This sensitivity is caused by plaque on your teeth hardening into tartar below the gum line. The tartar forces your gums to pull away from your teeth, exposing the soft tissue in your gums to bacteria.
As gum disease progresses, the infection will irritate your gum line, causing redness or bleeding. Then, as the infection spreads and becomes more serious, the gum line will actually recede away from the teeth. If left untreated, the infection can spread into the jawbone, causing painful inflammation and destroying soft tissue and bone.
Treating Periodontal Disease With Laser Therapy
At Associates in Family Dentistry, we treat gum disease with a deep cleaning below the surface of each tooth. This prevents infection from spreading. Other dental offices then proceed with a surgical procedure that pushes back the gums even further to scrape the tooth root.
Instead of surgically pushing back your gums, Associates in Family Dentistry chooses an FDA-approved laser therapy. The laser targets bacteria in the tooth root, gum tissues, and jawbone without cutting or removing existing tissue, which makes it a less-invasive, highly effective option for treatment. Periodontal laser therapy can also treat canker sores and cold sores because of its targeted, quick elimination of infection and inflammation-causing bacteria.
If you’re anxious about seeking dental treatment, contact Associates in Family Dentistry in Aurora, CO. Thanks to cutting-edge technology, there may be a simple and effective way to treat your teeth and gums that you didn’t know was possible! We’ll always offer the least invasive and most comfortable options available.
Schedule your appointment today. Call us at 303-755-5768.