What do cold sores, TMJ, and gum disease have in common? These oral health concerns can be treated with laser dentistry. Your Santa Monica, California, dental team offers this method as an alternative to more invasive treatments. Instead of waiting for a cold sore to go away on its own, or sit through a lengthy deep cleaning, these various problems can be treated with concentrated light energy. In today’s blog, we will discuss the many benefits of this technology.
Treating Cold Sores
Cold sores, or fever blisters, are caused by the HSV-1 virus. This can be spread through touch or sharing items like utensils, lip balm, or sharing drinks. Some people with the virus may never show symptoms, and others will develop these sores which can be itchy and uncomfortable. Over-the-counter products may be able to help them go away within a week. However, to get rid of it quickly and prevent one from forming in the same area, laser treatment can be used. A professional will direct a light to the area to help decrease the blister. This can be helpful because these sores can be painful and other physical symptoms, such as headaches and fevers, may arise during this time.
Helping You Manage Gum Disease
Periodontal disease is one the leading causes of tooth loss for adults in the US. This infection is caused by plaque buildup and tartar below the gumline. The first stage of this is gingivitis, which is characterized by swollen oral tissue or bleeding when you floss. If it is not caught in time, it will progress further into more moderate to severe periodontitis. While these later stages cannot be reversed, proper maintenance can help you manage your symptoms. Laser therapy can make periodontal cleaning more efficient by helping remove plaque buildup, shrinking periodontal pockets, and reducing inflammation. This may be more comfortable than traditional scaling and root planing because the concentrated light can closely target the area.
Reduce Symptoms Of TMJ
TMJ disorder is a condition that affects the movement of your jaw joints. It can cause headaches, facial pain, neck pain, and more. To help relieve your symptoms, we can use concentrated light as a non-invasive method to offer pain relief, muscle inflammation or more. You can pair this with other non-invasive treatments such as wearing an oral appliance which can help support your jaw at night. If TMJ is left untreated, it can have a negative impact on your oral health which is why it is important to seek professional care. This condition is often found in patients who have bruxism as well, which causes you to chronically grind your teeth together.
Learn More About Your Treatment Options
You can call Santa Monica Dental Arts in California at 310-395-1261 to schedule an appointment for laser treatment.
