Want to add a few years to your life expectancy? If you take care of your gums and avoid periodontal disease, then case studies show that you may be able to live three to six years longer. At Smiles by Mindy, we combine scaling and root planing with Arestin periodontal therapy in Clinton Township in order to completely eliminate the bacteria that cause gum disease. Read on to learn more about gum disease, periodontal therapy and the importance of Arestin.
What is Gum Disease?
Simply explained, gum disease is a bacterial infection of gum tissue. The human mouth is home to millions of bacteria. Daily brushing and flossing prevent bacterial overgrowth. However, without proper oral hygiene, these bacteria can flourish above and below the gum line. Signs of gum disease include:
- Swollen and bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Gum recession
- Enlarged gum pockets in between your teeth
- Visible pus
- Loosening teeth
Without proper treatment, advanced gum disease can necessitate tooth extraction. In fact, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults in the United States and can lead to other health concerns including heart disease and high blood pressure.
Periodontal Therapy in Clinton Township
Oral bacteria accumulate in plaque and tartar. Periodontal therapy is a two-pronged approach that removes plaque and tartar and resurfaces teeth so these troublemakers cannot cling as easily. The treatment is called scaling and root planing. During scaling, one of our hygienists uses special instruments to completely clear away plaque and tartar—a calcified substance that can only be erased from teeth with this type of professional cleaning.
Then root planing smoothes the surfaces of your teeth above and below the gum line. Both plaque and tartar are more likely to adhere to surfaces that are rough, so planing makes your teeth less receptive to both.
Gum Disease Treatment with Arestin
Dr. Mindy Salzberg-Siegel is one of the first dentists in Clinton Township to offer the Arestin prescription treatment program. In conjunction with scaling and root planing, Dr. Mindy applies Arestin (minocycline HCl) Microspheres, 1 mg directly to infected gum tissue. Arestin is actually a powder made up of 100,000 microspheres that release antibiotics for days following treatment. After scaling and root planing, Arestin is painlessly placed in the pockets between teeth and gums. This antibiotic immediately goes to work killing the bacteria that are left behind after scaling and root planing.
Call Our Office Today
If you’ve been told that you have gum disease, or if you’ve previously had periodontal therapy but your gum disease returns, contact Smile by Mindy. Arestin periodontal therapy in Clinton Township may be just what you need to finally eliminate disease-causing bacteria.