Are you experiencing the signs and symptoms of periodontal disease? Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy smile. At Warren & Hagerman Family Dentistry, we offer comprehensive periodontal care to prevent, diagnose, and treat gum disease at every stage. With advanced techniques and gentle, personalized treatment, our Litchfield Park dental team can help protect your gums and supporting structures, keeping your teeth strong and your smile confident for years to come.
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is an inflammation of the gum line. Left untreated, it can affect the bone that supports your teeth and lead to additional health complications. Symptoms of gum disease can include:
- Swollen gums
- Tender gums
- Bleeding gums
- Receding gums
- Persistent bad breath
When infections or harmful bacteria invade your mouth, your body responds with inflammation to fight the threat. While this natural defense is meant to protect you, chronic inflammation from untreated gum disease can have serious consequences, including receding gums, bacterial buildup, tooth sensitivity, bone loss, and even tooth loss.
Left unaddressed, gum disease can also contribute to other oral and overall health complications, making early detection and treatment essential to your best health.
Signs Of Gum Disease
Most patients in the early stages of gum disease don't even know they have it. The signs of gum disease may not appear until the disease has advanced to a point that will require you to undergo more invasive treatment to make your smile healthy again.
Some of the top signs and symptoms of gum disease include:
- Loose teeth or teeth separating from each other
- Mouth pain - including swollen and red gums
- Receding gums
- Excessive bleeding after brushing and flossing your teeth
- Mouth sores
- Consistent bad breath that doesn't respond to traditional treatment, like mouthwash
- Noticeable pus between your teeth and gums
- Your partial dentures aren't fitting securely anymore
- A change in the way you bite or the way your teeth fit together
Gum disease hurts millions of people each year, and many don't even know they have this serious condition until it has advanced to a point that requires treatment by a dentist.
If you're concerned you might be seeing the signs of gum disease, schedule an appointment with our periodontist at Warren & Hagerman Family Dentistry today. We can assess your symptoms and create a treatment plan specialized to get your mouth healthy again! Our top periodontal treatments include:
Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning)
Your routine cleaning every six months involves scaling your teeth and gumline to remove plaque and tartar, and polishing to remove stains and smooth the tooth's surface. However, if you have symptoms of gum disease, you might need a different type of cleaning called scaling and root planing. Scaling and root planing is a deep, targeted cleaning performed to treat patients with current or developing gum disease.
Gum Graft Surgery (Gum Tissue Regeneration)
Gum grafting is a common periodontal procedure performed to treat gum recession. After gum grafting, the soft tissue surrounding your teeth can begin to naturally regenerate, restoring a healthier smile. Benefits of gum graft surgery can include reduced tooth sensitivity, an improved smile appearance, and the overall improvement of your gum health.
Periodontal Laser Treatment
At Warren & Hagerman Family Dentistry, we offer advanced laser treatment as an option for patients suffering from gum disease. During treatment, our dentists will use a safe dental laser to excise any diseased gum tissue. Using a laser for periodontal treatment allows for a greater degree of precision, making general anesthesia unnecessary, and often results in shorter recovery times.
Dental Crown Lengthening
Some patients require dental crown lengthening as part of the preparation for the final crown restoration of a tooth. If necessary, Dr. Warren or Dr. Hagerman will perform a dental crown lengthening to extend the size or height of a portion of your tooth to better stabilize the dental crown.
Bone Regeneration
Periodontal disease may cause the jawbone to be too weak to support the placement of a dental implant. In this case, our team will often recommend natural bone regeneration, also known as bone grafting, to promote healthy bone growth and strengthen your jawbone. Over time, your jawbone can regain enough bone mass to support a dental implant.
Learn More About Your Gum Disease Treatment Options
Don't let gum disease keep you from smiling. If you are concerned about your gum health or seeing the early signs of gum disease, call us today to schedule your appointment. It's never too late to restore your beautiful, healthy smile!
