Does Periodontal Disease Treatment Hurt?

Periodontal disease patients about to undergo treatment may be concerned about how painful the experience will be. Most patients can expect to experience some discomfort during their treatment, as the gums are already swollen and inflamed, so they will be extra sensitive. This blog discusses how pain levels will vary from patient to patient based on their stage of periodontal disease and the type of treatment they are receiving. 

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Seeking Treatment for Periodontal Disease

Once periodontal disease develops in the gums, seeking treatment as soon as possible is essential to ensure the best results. When periodontal disease advances, severe cases can lead to tooth and bone loss; therefore, the earlier that periodontal disease is diagnosed and treated, the better the patient’s chances are of restoring healthy gums and keeping their natural teeth.

There’s a lot to consider when choosing the best periodontal disease treatment for you. Your periodontist can help determine which treatment will best suit your needs and guide you in restoring your gum health. However, many patients may wonder if their treatment will be painful and what they can expect the treatment to feel like. Managing expectations can help you prepare for the treatment and can often ease nerves concerning potential pain.

The pain level you can expect will vary depending on personal pain tolerance, the extent of your periodontal disease, and which treatment you have selected. These components can be further discussed during a consultation with a periodontist.

What Do Unhealthy Gums Feel Like?

Some of the early signs of periodontal disease include swollen and bleeding gums. It is common for these symptoms to make the infected gums feel extra sensitive and tender to the touch. The teeth surrounding these gums may also feel more sensitive to hot or cold temperatures.

While periodontal disease does not typically cause patients to feel pain, there may be some discomfort while eating and brushing teeth due to the contact with the inflamed gums. If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort while chewing food, eating or drinking hot or cold foods, or brushing your teeth, schedule an appointment with your dentist to evaluate your teeth.

How Painful Is Periodontal Disease Treatment?

Common treatment options for periodontal disease include deep cleaning (scaling and root planing), pocket reduction surgery, regenerative procedures, crown lengthening, and gum graft surgery. Each treatment method has varying discomfort levels. A deep cleaning may be mildly uncomfortable for many patients, as the plaque and tartar are scraped away from the inflamed gums. However, surgical procedures such as gum graft surgery and pocket reduction surgery may cause more discomfort to the mouth due to their invasive nature. It is important to note that anesthesia may be used with periodontal disease treatment to numb the gums and make the experience more comfortable for patients.

Schedule Your Periodontal Disease Treatment Consultation in Los Angeles, CA

If you have periodontal disease, it is in your best interest to get treatment as soon as possible. Dr. Salamati is an experienced periodontist in Los Angeles who is ready to help patients restore healthy gums and improve their smiles. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Salamati or to learn more about your periodontal disease treatment options, call (310) 275-1090 or complete our online message form today.