Gum and Mouth Health at Le Mars Dental Center

Routine exams paired with proper brushing and flossing are the first line of defense against oral health problems. Many individuals will develop some form of gum or periodontal disease in their lifetime, and fortunately most of those are mild. Le Mars Dental Center can help manage this with regular exams and cleanings.

However, advanced gum disease can cause tooth and bone loss. Patients may also face an increased risk for other conditions like heart disease, hypertension or diabetes.

Symptoms of periodontal disease include:

• Swollen or tender gums
• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Red or purple gum tissue
• Gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing
• Receding gum tissue

Acute gum or periodontal disease may not respond to conventional treatment and may need more advanced care called scaling and root planing. A local anesthetic is administered to minimize discomfort and then a small ultrasonic cleaner called a scaler is used to clean beneath the gumline to remove plaque and tarter. The root surfaces of the tooth are then planed and smoothed to allow the gum tissue to heal and reattach to the tooth.

Call (712) 546-5183 or click to schedule an appointment to learn more about periodontal disease or scaling and root planing at Le Mars Dental Center.