Gum Disease

Some forms of gum disease can be treated by simply brushing and flossing regularly. However, sometimes, if left unchecked for too long, gum disease can become too severe for these methods to deal with. In this case, it is best to visit your dentist. We’ll ask you questions about your dental history and your experiences with gum disease to find out what form of treatment is best for you. Most likely, this treatment will involve a deep cleaning, where we’ll remove the plaque from your teeth, as well as removing rough spots on your teeth that are likely to attract germs. We may also talk to you about your dental habits to see if there are any changes that need to be made to make gum disease less likely in the future. Depending on the severity of your gum disease, we may also have to use medications or surgical procedures to truly get rid of the problem.

It has been stated by the U.S. Surgeon General that 85 percent of Americans have gum disease in some form. Also called periodontal disease, this oral condition is inflammatory in nature. What we tend to know about gum disease is that it results in irritated gums, a bad taste in the mouth, and, sometimes, bad breath. What many people do not realize is just how invasive gum disease can be, affecting the entire body. Untreated gum disease has been linked to alarming health conditions like:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Kidney disease
• Alzheimer’s disease

Oral disease affects more than just the mouth. Because the underlying cause of gum disease is the activity of harmful bacteria, this is why it is recommended to practice excellent oral hygiene and maintain regular dental checkups.

Teens and adults are all at risk of harmful bacteria and gum disease, so we take care to thoroughly assess and educate each patient as to the benefits of oral hygiene. When caught in its earliest stage of gingivitis, gum disease is completely curable. It is beyond this point that the condition can only be managed. Should your gums look red and irritated, or bleed when you brush, contact our dentist for a dental check-up right away. Treating gingivitis is far easier than managing a full-blown periodontal infection.

Should gum disease advance beyond gingivitis, our approach is to use specialized ultrasonic power to clean the areas below the gum line that have become infected. In removing the hidden tartar from below the surface, tissue becomes healthier and can reattach to the cleaned tooth surface. In so doing, the pockets that develop from infection decrease, keeping bacteria from entering. Gum disease, at this stage, is managed in a precise maintenance program in which the patient is seen every few months for evaluation and possible treatment. By taking this proactive approach to management, teeth, gums, and general health are all guarded from bacteria.

Ideally, gum disease can be prevented rather than treated. Maintaining regular dental check-ups and excellent at-home oral hygiene that includes brushing for a full two minutes twice a day and flossing every day, leads to better oral health and a decreased risk of gum disease. To schedule your dental evaluation, contact us today.