If you don’t want gum disease to lead to severe consequences like tooth loss, you need to seek professional treatment as soon as you can. But exactly what will that treatment look like? The standard method is a deep cleaning that consists of scaling and root planing, but some dentists can offer another approach: ozone therapy. If you want to protect your oral health, it’s a good idea to learn more about ozone therapy and how it can be used to reduce gum disease symptoms.
What is Ozone Therapy and How Does It Work?
Ozone is an activated form of oxygen that can get rid of harmful bacteria. It’s often used as a way to sterilize food and water, but nowadays a number of dentists have started to utilize it in order to address certain oral health problems.
Ozone therapy generally involves applying ozone to your mouth in the form of a liquid, gas, or ointment. The treatment eliminates bacteria and creates an oral environment where it’s much more difficult for them to thrive, resulting in a much healthier smile.
How Does Ozone Therapy Help Treat Gum Disease?
When the bacteria in your mouth cause an infection of your gums, the result is gum disease. The condition may seem mild at first, but if it’s allowed to reach its most advanced stages, it could turn into a serious threat to your oral health, and it may even raise your risk for heart problems.
Luckily, ozone therapy can be used to stop your gum disease from growing any worse. The treatment can get rid of the bacteria along the gumline, which can go a long way toward reducing inflammation and other symptoms of gum infection.
What are the Advantages of Ozone Therapy?
There are many reasons why some dentists have started to embrace ozone therapy as a way to treat gum disease and other oral health issues. For one thing, it causes little to no discomfort; there’s no need to numb the mouth with a local anesthetic. On top of that, there’s no need for you to take any time off work after the procedure. You’ll be able to return to your regular activities right away once your appointment is complete.
Are you concerned about gum disease and think that ozone therapy may be the key to getting your oral health back on track? Reach out to your dental practice today to set up a consultation; your dentist can give you more details about ozone therapy and help you determine whether it’s the right choice for your smile.
About the Author
Dr. Kristin B. Petulla earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, and she completed a residency in General Dentistry at Abington Memorial Hospital. At her Marlton practice, she is devoted to providing her patients with mercury-free, metal-free dental solutions. She is proud to offer ozone therapy as a way to fight harmful oral bacteria. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Petulla, visit her website or call (856) 983-4846.