Gum Disease Treatment in Manchester, NH

If your gums bleed when you brush, or you've noticed a bad taste or a space between your teeth that seems to be growing, it's natural to feel a little embarrassed and to put off calling — especially when nothing really hurts. Dr. Mann sees this often, and he meets it with kindness and a plan. "There's no shame," he tells patients. "Let's take this in baby steps. Let's get your teeth clean. Let's deal with what's hurting you the worst." Your first visit at our Manchester dental office starts with a 3D scan and a careful look at your gums, so he can show you exactly where things stand.

When gum disease sets in, bacteria collect in small pockets where the gums have pulled away from the teeth, and an ordinary cleaning can't reach them — so Dr. Mann and Kara recommend a deep cleaning, which dentists call scaling and root planing. Kara numbs the area first and works carefully below the gumline to clear away the buildup that keeps your gums inflamed, and in the deeper pockets she places Arestin, an antibiotic we place under the gum, to help them heal. "We want you to save your teeth," Dr. Mann tells patients, and this is where that begins.

Protecting your health beyond your smile

"Your mouth truly is tied to the rest of your body," Dr. Mann says, and he takes that connection seriously: research links the inflammation of gum disease with heart disease and stroke, with how well you fight off infection, and with diabetes. He's careful to call it one risk factor among others, but it's one you can do something about, which is why he and Kara talk with you about your overall health as well as your gums. "People are not healthy when they have an unhealthy mouth," he says — and calmer, healthier gums are a real gift to the rest of you.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is an infection and inflammation of the gums and the bone that holds your teeth in place, and it often starts with gums that bleed when you brush. Left alone, it slowly wears away that supporting bone, which lets teeth loosen and drift apart — so Dr. Mann would always rather see you early, when a deep cleaning and closer care can help your gums heal.

What are the signs of gum disease?

The most common signs are gums that bleed when you brush or floss, a bad taste or odor that won't go away, a bump on the gum, and spaces that seem to be opening between your teeth. "Don't ignore that," Dr. Mann tells patients about those growing spaces, because they usually mean the bone around a tooth is changing — and each of these signs is easier to treat the sooner you let us see it.

How much does gum disease treatment cost in Manchester, NH?

The cost depends on how many areas need a deep cleaning and whether Kara places the antibiotic, so Dr. Mann gives you a clear plan and price before any treatment begins. We're out of network, but our Manchester dental office files your claims so any reimbursement comes straight to you. We offer financing through Cherry and CareCredit, and our in-office membership plan, the Mann Plan, includes a discount on gum care.

Does a deep cleaning hurt?

Usually very little, because Kara numbs each area before she begins and is certified to give nitrous if you'd like help relaxing. You'll feel her working, and she'll check in with you along the way so you're always comfortable — and afterward, she'll show you how to care for your gums at home while they heal.

What can I do at home to keep my gums healthy?

The biggest things you can do at home are brush and floss every day with the tools that suit your mouth, keep your cleaning schedule, and cut back on sugary and acidic drinks. Kara keeps up with the latest toothbrushes and floss and will show you exactly what to use, and Dr. Mann encourages patients to understand how sugar affects their teeth, so each small change adds up.

Staying with you until your gums are healthy

A deep cleaning is a fresh start, and keeping your gums healthy afterward takes a partnership: good care at home and cleanings set around what your gums need, which for some patients means every two months or every four months while they heal. "I will never give up on you, even if it's difficult," Dr. Mann tells patients. And when gum disease has gone too far for a tooth to stay healthy, he'll tell you honestly and walk you through every way to replace it, using your 3D scan to plan an option that fits you.

Frequently Asked Questions