Gum disease is a prevalent condition, affecting half of all Americans, and is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. To prevent the detrimental consequences of gum disease, we recommend visiting your dentist for biannual teeth cleaning, as well as maintaining a good at-home dental hygiene routine of brushing and flossing. At Gregory A. Merkley DDS, your provider of gum treatment in Penfield, we use state-of-the-art technology and treatment methods to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout your life.
Gum Treatment in Penfield
The primary cause of gum disease is plaque and its progressive forms. When plaque – the film that forms in the mouth, sustaining decay-causing bacteria - gathers below the gum line, it can cause the soft tissues supporting the teeth to become irritated, then infected. Poor oral hygiene, tobacco use, and side-effects of conditions of pregnancy and diabetes are among the more common contributors to the development of gum disease. During a teeth cleaning treatment, your dentist removes plaque and tartar from those places in and between teeth that are difficult to reach with toothbrush and floss. Your dentist will also perform a comprehensive examination, to detect gum disease in its earliest phases. The initial stage of gum disease is referred to as gingivitis, and may be symptomless at first. When symptoms present, you may notice irritation, redness, and inflammation around the gums; you may also notice some bleeding, especially when you brush or floss. To treat gingivitis, your dentist may recommend gum treatment in Penfield, including more frequent teeth cleaning treatments and improved at-home oral hygiene. For more progressed cases, more extensive teeth cleaning treatments and other procedures, such as scaling and root planning, may be in order. Scaling removes plaque from underneath the gum line, and root planing smooths the roots of teeth to prevent plaque from depositing.
At Gregory A. Merkley DDS, your provider of gum treatment in Penfield, we assure you that you will be kept well-informed, comfortable, and at ease throughout all your dental care appointments. Our skilled, experienced, caring dentist and professional staff deliver the highest-quality dental care and personalized attention that you deserve. To learn more, call today.
2086 Five Mile Line Road Penfield, NY 14526 (585) 366-0330
