What is Laser Therapy and How Does it Work? If you’ve been recently diagnosed with periodontal disease, you may be looking at what treatments are available to you. Getting help as soon as possible and from the right Dentist can make all the difference in how well you recover from periodontal disease. A common treatment plan includes laser therapy. In our latest blog, we cover all things laser therapy and how it treats periodontal diseases.

Laser Therapy Basics

To fully understand what laser therapy is and how it works, it is essential to understand what periodontal disease is. Periodontal disease is a severe gum infection that can be caused by a variety of reasons, although it is primarily attributed to poor dental hygiene. It is reported that, at any given time, our mouths houses over 6 billion bacteria. While you can never fully get rid of them, it’s essential to maintain proper hygiene to keep things balanced. Without the appropriate care, things can quickly spiral, starting with inflammation of the tissues surrounding the teeth to a buildup of filmy bacteria that eventually lead to plaque and, over time, calculus. Some of the common symptoms of periodontal disease include the following:

• Receding, Swollen, bleeding, tender, bright red or purplish gums
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth, teeth loss
• Trouble eating

Laser therapy is an effective and virtually pain-free treatment. Unlike other methods, it can remove bacteria buildup with little to no penetration. Under the care of an experienced periodontist, you expect a streamlined procedure that will effectively remove plaque and calculus around your gumline and smooth out any rough spots that may attract bacteria buildup in the future. Laser therapy is an involved procedure and requires the hand of an experienced dentist. Keep in mind that not all dental offices offer laser therapy, so look for those that do.

Benefits of Laser Therapy

Many dentists and patients love laser therapy for various reasons. These reasons include the following:

• Faster recovery time
• No need for anesthesia
• Target infected areas with precision
• Less invasive compared to traditional alternatives

Aftercare of Laser Therapy

As with any procedure, the aftercare and recovery time will vary by case. Common factors that The factors affect your recovery time include:

• The severity of your case.
• The intensity of the laser utilized to treat your case.
• Existing medical conditions

General symptoms experienced after laser therapy include gum soreness, sensitivity, swelling, and in some cases, light bleeding. Your Dentist will work closely with you and will create a treatment and an aftercare plan that best fits your needs. Your Dentist will provide you with all the information you need beforehand, so you know what you’re in for. After laser therapy, it is recommended for patients to stay on a soft diet until the swelling recedes, staying clear of hard or crunchy food. With the help of laser therapy, you can get your bright and healthy smile back, and with the proper dental care and regular dental visits, you can maintain it!

Schedule a Consultation

While practicing proper dental hygiene, which includes regular dental visits, can help largely prevent it, the CDC reports that 47.3% of adults over 30 have been diagnosed with periodontal disease. If you’ve been diagnosed with periodontal disease, suspect that you do, or simply want to prevent getting it, feel free to schedule a consultation with San Diego’s best. At Carmichael Dentistry, we offer excellent dental services that help our patients maintain or get back their healthy smiles. Give us a call at (858) 484-2560 or click here to schedule an appointment.