Using Laser Therapy to Improve Your Gum Health

You wake up every day and deal with a number of uncomfortable mouth symptoms, including bad breath, difficulty chewing, bleeding and swollen gums, and sensitive or even loose teeth. You know these are clear signs of gum disease — yet you still can’t seem to bring yourself to see a dentist.

Maybe it’s because getting into the dentist’s chair makes you uneasy. Or maybe it’s the fear of anesthesia and its side effects. It could even be a concern about further infections and whether you’ll heal quickly. You know that the longer you continue to put off dealing with the problem, the worse it’s going to get. 

Fortunately, George Saliba, DDS, and his team at Gems Dental in Houston, Texas, understand the roadblocks often caused by dental fears and anxiety and know how to remedy dental problems in order to restore your oral health. Gum disease laser therapy is an excellent option that Gems Dental offers to treat advanced gum disease.

The lowdown on laser therapy for gum health

Laser therapy is a fantastic treatment option for gum problems like gingivitis and the more severe periodontitis. Laser therapy also can be used in other dental surgeries such as gum grafting and frenectomy. But how exactly does it work? 

When gum problems have developed to the point where deep cleaning or even surgery has become necessary, laser therapy provides an alternative option to using a scalpel and stitches. The treatment works by using a very intense, focused beam that’s strong enough to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria from your gum line and tooth root. The laser also can remove infected tissue.

Benefits of laser therapy over traditional gum disease treatment

So how is laser therapy less invasive, frightening, or expensive than traditional gum disease treatments that require tools like a scaler, a curette, or a scalpel? Many patients who are uneasy about seeking surgical help for their gum health have found the laser treatment to be much better. Here’s why.

Laser therapy is less distressing

For one thing, lasers don’t seem as frightening as common dental tools may appear to patients with high dental anxiety. As a result, this treatment can help to allay your fears by removing the traditional instruments from your procedure. 

It’s often less painful to choose laser therapy

Traditional treatments can be uncomfortable, even painful, which is another reason why many people put off getting help for their gum problems. Laser therapy tends to be less uncomfortable, which also means it is less likely to require intensive sedation. 

You don’t need general anesthesia

Some gum disease treatments require that you be fully sedated, which has its own set of complications and dangers. You can easily avoid this with laser gum therapy, which usually only requires the use of an anesthetic spray before treatment. 

Laser therapy is less likely to cause side effects

If you’re seeking laser therapy as an alternative to scaling, root planing, or surgery, you’re less likely to experience swelling, bleeding, and other problems commonly associated with gum treatments. In addition, you have a decreased risk of infection because the laser sterilizes as it treats. 

Laser therapy may be less expensive 

In some cases, laser therapy requires fewer sessions than traditional gum surgeries or treatments, which can significantly minimize your out-of-pocket costs. However, it’s always best to discuss this with your insurance provider before agreeing to any treatment option. 

If you’ve been putting off getting help for your advanced gum disease, now’s the time to consider an easier, effective way to improve your gum health. To learn more about gum disease laser therapy or to make an appointment with Dr. Saliba, call 281-607-1851 or book an appointment online.