If you suffer from dental anxiety, the idea of having any type of periodontal work performed could make you feel extremely nervous. However, you have heard that some periodontists offer oral conscious sedation to help their patients relax. Could this be the key to getting the care you require while keeping your fears under control? Here’s a look at oral conscious sedation and what makes someone a good candidate for it. What Exactly is Oral Conscious Sedation? Oral conscious sedation does not involve any needles; instead, you will simply take a pill prior to your appointment. Your periodontist ..read more

If you need a powerful form of dental sedation to help you stay calm and relaxed during your periodontal treatment, there’s a good chance that your periodontist will suggest IV sedation. This is a great option for those with severe dental phobias, and it can involve a number of drugs depending on the situation. Want to learn more about IV sedation before having it performed? Here’s a brief look at how it works and what kinds of drugs may be used to soothe your nerves. What Happens During IV Sedation? The medication for IV sedation is administered directly to your bloodstream. This involves in ..read more

Are you planning on undergoing scaling and root planing in order to treat your gum disease? If so, you should make sure that you’re prepared to protect your mouth after the procedure. Following the right steps for aftercare will help ensure that there aren’t any problems during the recovery process. Below are 6 important dos and don’ts to keep in mind after scaling and root planing. 1. Do Take Over-the-Counter Medication to Manage Your Discomfort There may be some acute discomfort following the treatment. It should go away on its own in a matter of days. Until then, you can keep your pain und ..read more

When gum disease is left untreated, it can lead to all kinds of problems. Notably, it can result in gum recession, which is when gum tissue pulls away from the teeth, leaving the roots more vulnerable to bacteria as well as foods that can trigger sensitivity. Your periodontist is likely to recommend treating your gum disease with scaling and root planing, but will that allow the gum tissue lost to gum recession to grow back? Here’s what you need to know before having the procedure performed. How Does Scaling and Root Planing Work? For the scaling step, your periodontist will examine the area ..read more

Recently, your gums have become sore and inflamed. Not only has this resulted in quite a bit of discomfort, but it has also left you worried about your oral health. What exactly does it mean to have inflamed gums, and is there anything you can do about the problem before it leads to even more dire consequences? Your periodontist is here with the answers. Causes of Gum Inflammation When it comes to gum inflammation, the most common culprit is gum disease. When gum disease is in its earliest stages, it is a relatively mild oral health issue; however, if you don’t take the proper steps to have i ..read more

There are several things you can do to protect your smile from gum disease. But there’s one other strategy for maintaining healthy gums that you may not be aware of: getting plenty of exercise. Physical activity can have more of an impact than you might think on your oral health. Here’s why exercise can go a long way toward helping you keep gum disease at bay. What Exactly is Gum Disease? Your gums play an important role in supporting your teeth. If these soft tissues become infected (which is often a consequence of letting harmful oral bacteria accumulate), the result is gum disease. There a ..read more

Gum disease is a serious oral health issue that can result in tooth loss and other severe consequences if it is not treated in a timely manner. What you may not realize, however, is that the chances of suffering from gum disease increase significantly as you get older. In fact, more than two-thirds of adults who are at least 65 years old have some form of gum disease. Your periodontist is here to explain how age and gum disease are linked as well as give you some tips for protecting your smile. Why are Seniors at a Higher Risk for Gum Disease? There are several reasons why gum disease tends t ..read more

If you have been diagnosed with gum disease, your periodontist may use a few terms that you’re not familiar with. In particular, they may tell you that periodontal pockets have formed. But what exactly does this mean? Below is a quick overview of what you need to know about periodontal pockets and how to deal with them. What are Periodontal Pockets? The term “periodontal pocket” refers to empty space that has formed between the teeth and the gums. This is typically a consequence of gum disease being allowed to reach its more advanced stages, which can cause the gum tissue to pull away from th ..read more

Crown lengthening is a treatment that involves removing unnecessary gum tissue from your mouth in order to reveal more of the structure of your teeth. You can trust your periodontist to handle this procedure, but why might you even need to have it performed in the first place? Here are 3 signs that you might benefit from crown lengthening. 1. You Have a Gummy Smile When it’s time to show off your smile for the camera, how much gum tissue is visible? Ideally, the answer should be “about two millimeters or less.” If it’s more than that, then your grin may look a little too gummy. This cosmetic ..read more

There are a wide variety of procedures that your periodontist may suggest for your smile based on the state of your teeth, your gums, and your overall oral health. In some cases, they may recommend a procedure known as crown lengthening. What exactly does this treatment involve? And why might your periodontist suggest it? The answers to these questions can be found below. What is Crown Lengthening? Crown lengthening involves removing some of the gum tissue in a specific area of the mouth. This typically requires the periodontist to make some small incisions in the gums, and the underlying bon ..read more