Gum or periodontal disease is caused when there’s an infection in the gums surrounding a tooth or teeth. It’s tricky to see sometimes, with symptoms that can be virtually pain-free, making gum disease one of the biggest causes of tooth loss in American adults.

There are certain risk factors you need to know about that have the potential to increase your risk of developing gum disease, including:

• Nicotine use
• Diabetes
• Certain types of medications (steroids, anti-seizure pills, oral contraceptives, and more)
• Ill-fitting dental work such as bridges, crowns, and old fillings
• Pregnancy

Your Grove City dentist can choose from a variety of treatments for gum disease, based on what they think will work best for your smile. It really depends on the severity of each case. We can use something called ARESTIN therapy, where tiny pockets of powerful antibiotics are deposited in your gums. Your dentist might also recommend non-surgical solutions such as at-home periodontal trays and a deep cleaning (sometimes called scaling and root planing.) Laser gum surgery and even a dental implant can also be used.