Daniel R. Melnick D.D.S

Gum Treatment

In Laurel, Maryland

Timely treatment of gum disease can restore your gums to good health. In Laurel, Maryland, we offer this service at the Laurel Lake Family Dentistry practice.

Gum disease is caused by bacteria in plaque, that sticky film that forms on our teeth. If we don't brush it off frequently enough, the bacteria remain there and create toxins which irritate the gums, causing them to disconnect from the teeth.

The gum disease cycle

• Plaque and bacteria get beneath the gum line, inflaming your gums
• This causes your gums to pull away from your teeth, creating pockets
• These pockets trap more bacteria and become more infected

As the gum tissue continues to pull away from the tooth, more bacteria gather in the pockets, and a cycle is established. It's a difficult cycle to break. The longer it continues, the more likely it becomes that the bone itself will be affected and you'll begin to lose teeth.

For more information, see Periodontics.

Gum treatment

The first step of gum treatment is to clean the teeth professionally. That means removal of plaque and tartar beneath the gumline, and the bacteria along with it.

Tartar (also called calculus) is plaque which has remained on the teeth for too long, and has hardened into a rough substance. When it forms not only on the teeth, but also on the root surface below the gumline, it's hard to remove and makes it harder to remove new plaque forming, along with the bacteria.

In more advanced cases where the gum pocket is over 4mm deep, non-surgical deep cleaning and laser debridement may be required to remove the infection and eliminate the pocket.

If the bone is involved, some surgeries include bone reshaping around the tooth, to keep it safely anchored.

Once the tartar, plaque, and bacteria are completely removed and your gums have healed, proper oral hygiene will help you maintain healthy gums.

Learn more about gum treatment by reading our Gum Treatment FAQs.

Contact us today for your initial consultation and to begin your gum treatment program in Laurel, Maryland. View our Before and After Gallery and read Testimonials from our patients.