Laser Therapy for Gum Disease: No Pain, All Gain

Gum disease is a problem.

Almost half of adults in America have some form of it. Left untreated, it can lead to eventual tooth loss, jawbone issues, and infections that can spread throughout your body.

Thankfully, at Reality Bites Dental, we have an effective weapon against gum disease: lasers.

Laser treatment might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but it’s actually a safe and painless way to treat your gum disease. Here’s how it works.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease (also called periodontal disease) is caused by a buildup of plaque on your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film formed on your teeth when bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar and food particles. If this film isn’t removed daily with brushing and flossing, the bacteria can cause inflammation and infection that can break down your gum tissue.

Your gums become red and swollen and may start bleeding. Eventually, your gums can begin to pull away from your teeth, creating pockets of infection. Left untreated, the disease can cause a breakdown of gum tissue and even the bone supporting your teeth, so your teeth may have to be removed.

The best defense against gum disease is a solid oral health hygiene routine, including daily brushing and flossing and regular visits to your dentist. If your gum disease has progressed, however, laser therapy can be an effective treatment to return your gums to normal.

How does laser therapy work?

A laser is a concentrated beam of light that uses the energy in that light to alter tooth and gum tissue. We use the laser to remove the infected gum tissue and bacteria from your mouth, leaving only healthy tissue behind.

The light energy from the laser is absorbed by the bacteria and the diseased gum tissues, which causes them to be vaporized and eliminated. In addition to removing the problem tissue, the laser also sterilizes the area, which promotes healing, and removes tartar buildup from beneath your gum line.

Here’s the best part:This laser treatment causes no pain as it treats your mouth. There’s also no recovery time afterward (especially compared to traditional gum surgery), and you’re left with reduced inflammation and infection, and a cleaner, healthier mouth. In other words, laser treatment offers no pain and all gain.

If you’re fighting gum disease, our team at Reality Bites Dental would be happy to evaluate you for laser treatment. Just call our San Antonio office at 210-399-5951 or book an appointment online with our fast, secure scheduling tool!