Periodontal diseases, such as periodontitis, represent a severe form of gum disease. If not identified and treated promptly by your periodontist in Chicago, the risk of tooth loss may increase. Here are some treatment options your dentist may recommend to help manage your periodontal disease for better oral health.
Antibiotic Treatment
Periodontitis is an inflammatory condition of the gums that can be caused by a bacterial infection. Your periodontist in Chicago may recommend a course of oral antibiotics to eliminate the infection so that the healing process can begin. In addition to red, swollen gums, infection-related periodontitis may cause a bad taste in your mouth resulting from pus pockets surrounding your teeth, bleeding gums, and gum retraction. It is important that you finish your entire prescription of antibiotics to ensure that the infection is eradicated. If you experience side effects from your antibiotics, such as an upset stomach, please inform your periodontist.
Deep Cleaning Treatments
In addition to regular teeth cleanings, your periodontist may recommend a special type of deep cleaning called scaling and root planing. During this procedure, your periodontist removes plaque and tartar from underneath your gum line and from the roots of your teeth by gently scraping it off with scalers and curettes. While regular teeth cleanings are completed in one appointment, a scaling and root planing procedure will take multiple appointments to clean all of your teeth.
To schedule an appointment with a periodontist or to learn more about periodontal disease, please call Windy City Family Dental or stop by the website.
