Do Periodontal Treatments Cause Discomfort? Total Health Dental Explains

Has your dentist recommended periodontal treatment for your gums? You must be wondering what this treatment involves, how it is performed, and whether it causes discomfort. Don’t worry! Total Health Dental in Aurora, Illinois, is here to help. Dr. Khaja Mohsinuddin will explain what to expect from periodontal treatments, including discomfort involved, if any.

Why you may need periodontal treatment

You’ve probably heard about gum disease. If not, let’s fill you in. Gum disease occurs when plaque accumulates in the mouth when you fail to remove it with flossing and brushing. This plaque contains harmful bacteria that irritate your gum tissues, causing gingivitis characterized by symptoms like gum redness and swelling. 

Plaque formation is just the beginning of your troubles. If you fail to remove it, it calcifies into tartar, encouraging further bacterial invasion. If you fail to treat gingivitis, it advances to periodontitis, allowing bacteria to invade the inner layer of the gum tissue. As a result, gums start pulling away (receding) from the teeth, creating periodontal pockets that are hard to access with a toothbrush or dental floss. 

Untreated periodontitis allows harmful bacteria to attack and break down teeth-supporting tissues. As the infection progresses, more connective tissues are damaged, causing teeth to become loose, and eventually, tooth loss occurs.

Do periodontal treatments hurt?

Gum disease treatment options depend on the extent and stage of the disease. Gingivitis — the early form of periodontal disease — can be reversed with brushing, flossing, oral rinsing, and professional cleaning. However, other stages of gum disease require additional intervention.

Deep dental cleaning is the first line of treatment for many dentists. This treatment is done after anesthetizing your gums to manage discomfort. However, after treatment, you’ll experience mild discomfort and sensitivity, but these can be managed by over-the-counter medications.

Advanced periodontitis causes significant gum and bone damage, requiring surgery. While traditional surgical procedures like gum flap surgery can restore gum health, laser gum treatments are less invasive and cause minimal discomfort. 

Gum therapy care near me

Please call (630) 822-9600 to schedule an appointment with Total Health Dental. We offer prevention and treatment services for gum disease to maintain optimal periodontal health.

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