PROTECT YOUR SMILE, RESOLVE GUM DISEASE WITH PROACTIVE AND GENTLE TREATMENT IN HUNT VALLEY, MD
Periodontal or gummy tissue supports and protects your teeth. Additionally, when gums are damaged, an inflammatory process is triggered due to the irritation caused by bacterial plaque building up at the roots of the teeth. This process degrades both soft and hard tissues (teeth and bone). So, it is critical for patients in and around northeastern MD to partner with Hunt Valley Dental.
Routine visits to our office for exams by Dr. Thomas Rhodes and cleanings by our hygiene professionals help to keep harmful bacteria in check, by preventing the build-up of stubborn hardened plaque (tartar). Such preventive services not only preserve your natural teeth and the beauty and functionality of your smile but also keep the rest of your body healthy.
Mind your gums, for your overall wellness
The bacteria and inflammation associated with periodontal disease are also found among individuals with conditions such as heart disease. In fact, gum disease is such a threat to heart surgery patients, that periodontal therapy and antibiotics are preventive measures to protect these individuals from complications such as endocarditis. Oral bacteria essentially enters the bloodstream when the gums bleed (a common symptom of periodontal disease). The bacteria then go on to travel to other parts of the body, infecting the lining of the heart and the surfaces of its valves.
Standard cleanings, scheduled once every six months, may be sufficient to maintain or restore periodontal health. During these visits, our team will also discuss techniques and products to use at home and to improve care when you’re not at the office. Many patients tend to brush their teeth and fail to adequately and consistently clean the gums and other tissues that attract bacteria; for instance, the tongue and palate/roof of the mouth harbor disease-causing germs. Additionally, it is important to floss at least once every day to keep the germs away. Your toothbrush misses many surfaces of the teeth. So, brushing alone is not enough to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
If you are at elevated risk of developing gum disease, we may recommend more frequent visits at our office for examinations and cleanings. Risk factors include comorbidities such as diabetes, and the use of tobacco products. A cornerstone of our practice is the use of complementary technologies that support gentle, fear-free, and proactive dentistry. For example, we stay ahead of the disease process by using non-invasive oral DNA testing to isolate the amounts and types of bacteria that are present in your mouth.
This approach allows us to offer highly personalized care; we can recommend medications and treatments that are known to effectively eradicate the specific bacterial species in your mouth. And, we resolve active disease in the most painless way possible.
Laser dentistry presents a precise, no-scalpel, and needle-free way to kill bacteria, reduce the pockets between the teeth and gums, and promote healthy reattachment of tissues. The use of lasers also minimizes undesirable side effects associated with conventional “cutting” therapies, from discomfort to bleeding. Lasers in Dr. Rhodes’ capable hands are highly precise and present a conservative way to treat diseased tissues while preserving healthy natural tissues.
Do not wait for signs of gum disease to arise, be it bleeding when you brush and floss or red, inflamed gums. This disease is often asymptomatic in its earliest stages. So, by the time you notice the signs, the disease may have progressed and caused irreparable damage. Contact us today at (410) 705-2111 to schedule your appointment.
