Gum Disease

Gum disease is a serious condition that affects 47% of adults over the age of 30. It can lead to tooth movement, long-looking teeth with gaps around them, and eventually tooth loss. The hallmarks of gum disease include sensitivity to hot and cold, bleeding, and sore gums. The great news is that if it is caught and treated early, it can be simply managed in our office. By the time you see most of the symptoms, it often requires a trip to the specialist and surgery to treat. Get in today so our Helena dental clinic can fully assess your gum health!

Depending on the severity of your gum disease, treatment may cause numbness after your cleaning. This numbness generally wears off in two to four hours. It is normal to experience some swelling at the injection sites, but this should resolve in two to four days. You may also have some soreness of the jaw on opening and closing. This is caused either by the injection or because you were holding it open for the duration of the appointment. Sensitivity to cold usually decreases within several weeks after deep cleaning and can be minimized by keeping the area as free of plaque as possible. To help with this, Dr. Spiger will prescribe a fluoride gel called Enamelon. You will probably have some discomfort when the anesthesia wears off so take your non-aspirin pain medication(s) as directed by the doctor. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our office!