Gum disease is an inflammation of the gum line. If it is left untreated with a evaluation from a periodontist, it can affect the bone that supports your teeth. Symptoms of gum disease can include:
- Swollen gums
- Tender gums
- Bleeding gums
- Receding gums
- Persistent bad breath
When your body senses threats like infections, lacerations, or foreign bacteria, it rushes to try to heal and protect the area being threatened. This inflammatory response in healthy individuals kills off bacteria and helps to speed healing.
Unfortunately, when it comes to infections in your mouth, natural responses to infection can create complications. When your body detects plaque, tartar, and bacteria in your mouth it starts to protect itself by backing away.
If the early stages of gum disease are left untreated by a periodontist, gums will recede away from the teeth, which can trigger a variety of other serious dental and oral health problems.
Signs Of Gum Disease
Most patients in the early stages of gum disease don't even know they have it. 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 get your smile healthy again.
However, you can be on the lookout for these symptoms of gum disease:
- 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 don't 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!
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 dental cleaning procedure Dr. Warren and Dr. Hagerman perform to treat patients with current or developing gum disease. Not all patients need this deeper level of cleaning, but it is a key part of treatment for patients who are concerned with gingivitis.
Gingivitis Treatment
Gingivitis is often painless at first, making it difficult to diagnose without regular dental checkups. Inflammation of the gums can be a potentially serious condition, which is why it’s vital to get regular dental exams at Warren & Hagerman Family Dentistry.
If you have been diagnosed with or are concerned you might have gingivitis, Dr. Warren and Dr. Hagerman offer a range of treatments to reverse or stop gum disease’s progression. If you are in the early stages of gingivitis, most treatment options are non-surgical procedures.
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 also offer periodontal laser treatment as an option for patients suffering with gum disease. During treatment, our dentists will use a safe dental laser to excise any diseased gum tissue. Using a laser for periodontal treatment like this 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 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 your jawbone to be too weak to support the dental implant you need. In cases like this, we 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.
Have Questions About Your Gum Disease Treatment Options?
Gum disease can be painful, but it doesn't have to ruin your smile. If you are concerned you might be seeing the early signs of gum disease, call us today to schedule your appointment. It's never too late to get a beautiful, healthy smile!
Our pediatric dentistry team combines our knowledge of dentistry for children's dental techniques to create the perfect environment for our youngest patients.