Gum Treatments in Brooklyn NY

Gum Treatments at Our Brooklyn NY Office

From early-stage gum disease to abscess care, here is what to expect when treating gum problems at our Downtown Brooklyn practice.

Periodontal Disease Treatment

Plaque is the leading cause of gum disease, which affects more than 47 percent of adults over 30. Gum disease starts in dark, hard-to-reach corners of the mouth where plaque builds unchecked. Without proper identification and treatment, it spreads and can cause tooth loss, bad breath, sores, and other side effects. Treatment is tailored to each patient, but most cases require these steps:

Professional Teeth Cleaning

The first step in treating gum disease is a thorough cleaning. A dentist removes plaque your toothbrush and floss cannot reach, including deep within the gum pocket where harmful plaque tends to live.

Dental Examination

During cleaning, your dentist also checks for factors that contribute to gum disease, such as loose crowns or fillings. X-rays may be used to spot bone loss. The longer gingivitis goes untreated, the more bone loss is likely. If significant bone loss has already occurred, procedures are available to rebuild it.

Daily Care to Prevent Worsening

To keep gum disease from getting worse, maintain these habits at home:

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
• Floss at least once a day
• Use an antiseptic mouthwash
• Visit the dentist regularly

Signs of Gum Disease

Visit your local Brooklyn dentist as soon as possible if you notice any of these signs:

• Red, sore gums
• Gums that bleed easily
• A noticeably receding gum line
• Teeth that feel loose
• Persistent bad breath
• Sores in your mouth

Gum disease is often painless and easy to overlook. Routine dental exams help prevent symptoms before they become invasive.

Gum Abscess Treatment

You may also need gum treatment for an abscess. Abscesses can form because of unresolved cavities or other underlying conditions. They develop when the same bacteria infecting a tooth spreads to the gums, throat, cheek, or jaw.

• Periapical abscess: an infection of the tooth pulp.
• Periodontal abscess: an infection deeper in the gum tissue.

A dental abscess looks like a swollen mound filled with pus. The pain only gets worse until the abscess is drained. A dentist should surgically drain it; otherwise the pain continues to escalate.

Signs of a Gum Abscess

If you notice any of the following, contact our Brooklyn office right away:

• Pain in the gums or surrounding mouth
• Swelling around the mouth and gums
• Tenderness to the touch
• Pus draining from the area
• Unusual redness around the face or mouth
• Feeling generally ill, nauseous, or vomiting
• Difficulty opening the mouth or swallowing
• Difficulty breathing (rare, but possible if the abscess blocks airways)

Gum Treatments at Willoughby Dental

Every gum treatment is far more affordable than the long-term cost of ignoring sore gums or gum disease. Willoughby Dental provides reliable Brooklyn NY gum treatments for patients of every age.