Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville, TN
If you have gum disease, it needs to be treated. Your Greeneville family dentist at Tusculum Dental Care can provide exceptional treatment to stop the progression of this devastating oral disease through a repetitive therapy program of treatment.
What is repetitive therapy?
Repetitive therapy is a common yet effective treatment for gum disease. Repetitive therapy involves deep cleaning your teeth and their roots through a procedure called scaling and root planing. This process continues at intervals to ensure all teeth are thoroughly cleaned and all tartar buildup is removed.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is an infection of the teeth, gums, and jawbone that occurs due to the following:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Age
- Fluctuation in hormones
- Certain medications
- Certain medical conditions
Regardless of the cause, gum disease must be treated, or it may lead to bleeding or receding gums, loss of jawbone, and lost teeth. Studies have even linked gum disease to systemic diseases affecting overall health.
What should I expect during the procedure?
When you receive a scaling and root planing treatment, we first make your mouth numb, treating only one quadrant of the mouth at a time so that your entire mouth is not numb at once.
The scaling portion of the procedure involves removing the tartar buildup from your teeth, and below the gum line. Root planing actually makes the roots smooth, eliminating rough spots where bacteria tend to lurk and cause further damage.
It is normal to feel some mild discomfort and gum tenderness after the procedure. However, this usually subsides soon after and can be curtailed by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever.
These cleanings are typically done at intervals, as recommended by the dentist to prevent the progression of your gum disease and to facilitate healing of your gums.
How often do I need repetitive therapy?
How often you return to receive treatment will vary, depending on several factors including:
- The severity of your gum disease
- What treatments, if any, you have had to treat your gum disease
- How you respond to treatment
- The rate at which plaque and tartar collects on your teeth
Importance of Repetitive Therapy
Not treating gum disease could be detrimental to your health, not just your mouth.
Studies have linked oral plaque to the following health consequences:
- Increased risk of stroke
- Increased risk of diabetes
- Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
- Pre-term birth
- Low birth weight in babies
- Cognitive decline
Although gum disease cannot be cured, it can be stopped as long as you receive treatment from your Greeneville dentist, and follow through with a regimen of oral hygiene at home that involves brushing twice per day and flossing daily.
Gum Disease Treatment in Greeneville
Resolve to maintain good oral health by having your gum disease treated by the caring dental staff at Tusculum Dental Care. We will thoroughly assess your state of oral health, and determine the best course of action for you. To learn more, please call our office at (423) 639-7575 to schedule a consultation.
Tusculum Dental Care is proud to provide total oral health care for patients in the areas of Greeneville, Jonesborough, and Erwin, Tennessee.