Gum Disease Treatment

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is extremely common in even the healthiest of smiles. This is the most common reason why many adults experience tooth decay and even tooth loss. Gums often become inflamed and swollen, while the jawbone may become infected and could potentially recede. 

 

Gum disease occurs due to the buildup of plaque and tartar. Plaque is a colorless film of bacteria that forms on the surface of teeth. Even with effective brushing and flossing, it still occurs. Tartar must be removed through scaling by a dental hygienist. Scaling is a process when tartar is scraped off the surface of your teeth. You should have your teeth thoroughly cleaned by our dental professionals every six months.

 

Periodontal disease can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth and create small pockets that could allow the buildup of bacteria and food debris. Eventually, this will affect the bone health in your jaw and could cause the loss of a previously healthy tooth.

 

Causes of Gum Disease

• Food, tobacco products, alcohol

• Improper use of dental floss and toothpicks

• Misaligned teeth

• Unbalanced diet: Nutritional deficiency and the body's ability to fight off infection

• Pregnancy: A temporary condition referred to as "pregnancy gingivitis" may occur due to fluctuating hormone levels

• Medication: Oral contraceptives, anti-epilepsy drugs, steroids, and cancer therapy drugs may have a negative effect

• Certain diseases such as diabetes, kidney failure, liver cirrhosis, anemia, and leukemia

 

Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease

• Flossing or brushing your teeth causes gums to bleed

• Red, swollen or tender gums

• Receding or shrunken gums

• Pus appears between your teeth when you press your gums with your finger

• Pain when chewing

• A buildup of calculus or tartar

• Teeth that seem loose or that change position

• Changes in your bite

• Changes in the way your partial dentures fit

• Bad breath or a chronic bad taste in your mouth

• Sensitivity to hot and cold

 

The best way to treat gum disease is to prevent it. That means you should be brushing twice a day as well as flossing. You should also incorporate fluoride into your daily dental care routine. Fluoride can help prevent the buildup of disease and protect your tooth’s enamel. You should also see our team for a professional cleaning every six months. This will give us the opportunity to check your mouth for any underlying issues or potential problems that may arise.

 

Protect your mouth from tooth loss, consult with our office about treatment for periodontal disease. Call today to learn more about how you can prevent and treat periodontal disease. You can reach Dental Health & Beauty at (954) 575-0880 or you can fill out an appointment request form directly on our website. We look forward to helping you achieve a healthier and whiter smile!