Gum disease is usually easy to prevent on your own. Maintaining an excellent oral hygiene routine and seeing your dentist every six months for cleaning and checkups can prevent the development of this type of infection. That being said, nearly half of Americans over the age of 30 are suffering from gum disease at one stage or another. As your symptoms progress, it becomes more and more difficult and even impossible to reverse. Fortunately, dental lasers can be used to address gum disease. Here are some of the reasons why this is so beneficial!
How Does Periodontal Laser Treatment Work?
Laser periodontal treatment can be used to remove the diseased, infected gum tissue, leaving the healthy tissue behind. This is often used in addition to other gum disease treatments, like scaling and root planing and antibiotic treatment to remove the buildups of plaque and tartar and allowing you to begin the healing process. This way, healthy gum tissue can grow and tighten around your teeth.
What Are the Benefits of Laser Periodontal Treatment?
When compared to traditional methods, there are all sorts of benefits of using a dental laser to treat gum disease. Here are some of the most prominent ones that you can expect.
- Less Discomfort: Patient comfort is a priority! Using a dental laser is much more comfortable than the traditional method of using a scalpel. The laser cauterizes the tissue as it goes, resulting in less bleeding.
- Faster Recovery Time: Surgical periodontal treatment can take weeks to heal. Since laser periodontal treatment only targets bacteria and disease tissue, the surrounding healthy areas are left untouched, dramatically reducing recovery time.
- Fewer Dietary Restrictions: Traditional periodontal treatment methods require a soft diet for a couple of weeks follow the procedure. With a dental laser, the soft diet is only necessary for a couple of days!
- Laser Periodontal Treatment Is Safer for Everyone: Laser periodontal treatment is ideal for pretty much anyone! This includes those with diabetes, hemophilia, and HIV.
- Long-Lasting Results: There aren’t any sutures needed and surgical wounds are significantly minimized. Using a dental laser for periodontal treatment produces high-quality, longer-lasting results when compared to traditional methods.
Gum disease is very common, and laser periodontal therapy has been a game changer when it comes to treatment. If you struggle with gums that are inflamed, red, painful, or bleeding, reach out to your dentist to schedule an appointment. Laser periodontal therapy could be the answer that you are looking for to achieve healthy gum tissue!
About the Author
Dr. Alison Fitzgerald earned her dental doctorate from the Creighton School of Dentistry. Since then, she has been committed to continuing education to keep her knowledge and skills sharp. She uses a dental laser at her practice to address gum disease. To learn more about laser periodontal treatment or to schedule an appointment, visit her website or call (520) 881-8902.