Did you know that three out of four Americans age 35 and older have gum disease in some form or another? 
Unfortunately, it’s not hard to see why the affliction is so widespread, since only half of the population visits a dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. That’s quite a wake-up call! At Bethesda Sedation Dentistry, our dentists will thoroughly evaluate your mouth for periodontal (gum) problems at a routine visit.
Signs that you may suffer from gum disease include loose teeth, pockets between your teeth and gums, halitosis (bad breath), and bleeding or swollen gums. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, Dr. Dougherty, Dr. Klotz, or Dr. Schlossberg can evaluate your mouth and determine if you have periodontal disease. We provide several conservative gum disease therapies at our Bethesda dental practice.
Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy
Preventing the infection from advancing further is key to maintaining your oral health if you have gum disease. Our conservative treatments include:
- Scaling—a procedure which removes any hardened plaque that lies beneath the gum line
- Root Planing—a procedure which removes tartar and smoothes root surfaces, preventing any plaque from sticking.
- Arestin—an antibiotic treatment Dr. Dougherty, Dr. Klotz, and Dr. Schlossberg use to eradicate bacteria in diseased periodontal pockets. This medication continues fighting infection for up to 21 days after application.
Periodontal Surgery
If gum disease has advanced beyond early and moderate stages, oral surgery may be the best way to save teeth and bone structure from degeneration. Surgical procedures include reducing periodontal pockets’ depth, bone or soft tissue regeneration, crown lengthening, and soft tissue grafts. One of our highly skilled dentists can perform surgical procedures for periodontal disease in the comfort and convenience of our Bethesda office.
If you’re concerned about the condition of your teeth and gums, call our Bethesda dental practice to schedule an appointment with Dr. Dougherty, Dr. Klotz, or Dr. Schlossberg. Our dentists will expertly evaluate your periodontal health and provide comprehensive treatment for your dental needs, from scaling or root planing to oral surgery. We also offer several sedation methods for optimal comfort during dental visits.