Would you like to improve the appearance of your smile? Perhaps you want to whiten your teeth or finally get that little chip in one of your incisors repaired. Your cosmetic dentist in Branford will be happy to help you reach your goals. Before you can focus on improving your teeth’s aesthetics, however, it is possible that you will require gum disease treatment. In this blog post, we will discuss what gum disease is and why treating it before cosmetic procedures is so important.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is an infection of the gum tissue. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 50% of adults age 30 and over have some form of it. Many cases of gum disease are fairly mild and might not present any obvious symptoms. If it is left untreated, however, it can lead to gum recession, tooth loss, and an increased risk of numerous systemic health conditions, including heart attack and diabetes.
Gum Disease and Cosmetic Dentistry
If you have gum disease, even if it is a minor case, your dentist will want you to address it before you get cosmetic treatment. There are a few reasons for this:
- Your oral health is your dentist’s primary concern. Once your teeth and gums are healthy, they will be delighted to help you achieve your ideal look.
- Some cosmetic treatments, such as veneers, can make it more difficult to treat gum disease.
- If gum disease has caused gum recession, teeth whitening could irritate your sensitive, exposed tooth roots.
- Getting gum disease treated may have some inherent cosmetic benefits for your smile. For example, it may help you enjoy fresher breath. It can also reduce or eliminate unsightly swelling and redness in your gums.
What to Expect with Gum Disease Treatment
There are a few different types of gum disease therapy in Branford. Some patients just need to adjust their at-home oral hygiene routine. Others may require a procedure known as scaling and root planing, which is basically a deep cleaning of the mouth. During the treatment, your dental team removes bacteria from above and below the gumline, then smooths out the roots of the teeth so it is more difficult for bacteria to cling to them.
Once your dentist is satisfied that your gum disease is under control and is unlikely to return anytime soon, they may approve you for your desired cosmetic treatments.
Gum disease can be an obstacle on your route to your dream smile. Fortunately, most cases of it are not difficult to treat.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Dean Cloutier is the general dentist at New Haven Dental Group in Branford. He has many years of experience and is pleased to provide a broad range of services, including both cosmetic treatments and gum disease therapy. If you would like to learn how you can improve the appearance or health of your teeth and gums, Dr. Cloutier and our team would be happy to talk with you. Contact us at 203-437-9112.