If you have not been to the dentist in many years and finally decide to go, you might be surprised to find out that you have gum disease. Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss, and it is not something you can ignore. It will need to be treated, and many dentists are now offering treatment with a laser. Laser gum treatment is a better option than older methods used for this, yet it will still leave your mouth sore afterwards. Here are a few things to understand about laser treatment for gum disease.

What Is Gum Disease?

The first thing to understand is what gum disease is. Gum disease is something that gradually occurs over time when bacteria and plaque is left on your teeth too long. The bacteria on your teeth will move into the gums, and this causes infections to form in the gums, which will then lead to receding of the gum lines. The longer this is left untreated; the more damage it can do. Eventually, it can lead to a loss of teeth, because the teeth will no longer have enough gums to hold them in place.

What Are The Alternative Methods For Treating Gum Disease?

Before laser gum treatment was developed, dentists primarily used one method for treating gum disease called flap surgery. This involves cutting the gum lines open near the teeth and entering inside the gums to remove the built-up plaque and tartar. Afterwards, the dentist must stitch up these areas to close them off. This method is still used today, but dentists have found that treating gum disease with a laser can be a better option.

How Does Laser Gum Treatment Work?

Laser gum treatment is a less-invasive procedure than other methods available for treating gum disease. A dentist completes this process with a variety of steps, but the main step is aiming the laser at the infected gums to remove the bad parts of the gums. After this, the dentist again aims the laser at the gums to help them form blood clots. The blood clots keep the gums closed and help them heal.

What Are The Benefits Of Laser Treatment?

There are numerous benefits offered through laser treatment for gum disease, and here are some of the main ones:

• There is less bleeding and swelling
• There is a lower risk for an infection forming
• You will not feel as much pain
• Your gums may heal faster
• The procedure is non-invasive

You can learn more about the benefits by talking to your dentist.

Are There Instructions To Follow After The Procedure?

If you choose to have laser gum treatment, you can expect to feel sore for several days, and your dentist may give you a list of instructions to follow. Here are some of the things you may need to do or avoid doing:

• Rinse your mouth with salt water several times a day instead of brushing your teeth. This may be something you must do for several days, or longer.
• Eat soft foods only. Because your mouth may hurt and to avoid damaging sensitive gums, you may need to restrict your diet to soft foods or liquids only for a few days.
• Stop smoking if possible. Smoking can prolong the healing of your gums, so it is better to avoid this for a while if you can.

Gum disease is not something you should ignore, as it will only worsen if you leave it untreated. If you are interested in learning more about laser gum treatment or other available treatment options, you should visit a dentist in your area that specializes in treating gum disease.

Visit a site like http://www.neufamilydental.com for more information.