Gum Disease Treatments
Most people tend to overfocus on the teeth when it comes to oral health. But gum health is just as important. Gum disease can lead to serious dental and overall health issues. Here at Varinos Dental Associates, we provide gum disease treatments at our three offices in Winthrop, Newburyport, and Peabody. For more information, keep reading to learn about gum disease or contact us to schedule an appointment at one of our offices.
What Are The Types of Gum Disease?
There are many different types of gum disease. Patients are likely most familiar with gingivitis. Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease that causes red, puffy gums that bleed when you brush and floss them. Generally, it is reversible with proper oral care. But left unchecked, gingivitis can worsen and lead to more serious gum diseases. For example, Periodontitis is a more serious form of gum disease. Periodontitis creates large pockets between the gums and the teeth and causes the gums to recede or shrink away. This can lead to tooth loss and weakening of the tissue that supports your teeth. While gingivitis is usually reversible, periodontitis is not always reversible and may require maintenance and management treatments.
How Do You Know If You Have Gum Disease?
First and foremost, the best way to monitor and manage your oral health is with routine cleanings and exams. Many dental problems go unnoticed by patients and do not always present clear and obvious symptoms, especially in their early stages. That is why cleanings and exams are very important in preventative care. That said, here are some of the common symptoms of gum disease:
The earliest stages of gum disease can cause your gums to swell, turn a darker shade of red, bleed more frequently, or be sore to the touch. These symptoms arise as bacteria begin to infect the gums.
Over time, gums can start to recede or shrink away from the teeth. As bacteria continue to infect the gums, the gums will pull further from the teeth, and pockets form. This can also lead to dental abscesses or pockets of pus forming between the gums and the teeth.
How Do You Treat Gum Disease
To prevent gum disease at home, you should floss daily, eat a healthy diet, and avoid tobacco products. You should see your dentist twice a year for cleanings and exams to help prevent bacteria from causing gum disease.
If you have gum disease, your dentist will recommend a variety of treatments known as periodontal procedures. This can include cleanings and flossing for early signs of gum disease, or can involve treatments, including gum grafting in situations where gum tissue has been lost.
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Common Questions About Gum Disease
What Are Common Symptoms of Gum Disease?
Gum disease, like all oral health problems, can sometimes be asymptomatic or go unnoticed. For early detection, the best way to discover and treat gum disease is to schedule routine cleanings and exams with your dentist. That said, there are many different symptoms gum disease can cause, especially as it progresses. Reddish or purplish gums, as well as swelling and bleeding around the gums, are all common signs of early gum disease. Meanwhile, bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth can often be signs of gum disease as well. Finally, if you notice that your gums are receding, your teeth feel loose, or your teeth feel like they fit together differently, these are all signs you may have gum disease.
How Common Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is one of the common oral health issues. It has been estimated that nearly half of all Americans have some form of gum disease. Gum disease is also the leading cause of adult tooth loss. Gum disease is not static; it progresses over time. Oftentimes, the earliest stages, like gingivitis, go completely unnoticed by patients, which is why routine exams and dental cleaning are essential to long-term oral health.
What Are The Different Stages of Periodontal Disease?
As we mentioned, gum disease worsens over time and is often categorized into four major stages.
- Gingivitis: Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease and the most common. Patients will have red, puffy gums that sometimes bleed when brushed or flossed. During this stage, there is no bone loss, which means it is a completely reversible condition with proper treatment and oral care.
- Mild Periodontitis: When gingivitis progresses, it becomes periodontitis. Your gums will start to recede, leading to pockets where plaque and bacteria can grow. These pockets cannot be reached with a toothbrush or floss. The only way to treat periodontitis is with gum disease treatments.
- Moderate Periodontitis: If periodontitis is not treated, the tissues that hold your teeth in place begin to be affected. This can lead to infection, causing pus to form around the gumline. This can also lead to toothaches and abscesses.
- Advanced Periodontitis: Bone loss can eventually cause teeth to loosen and fully fall out. This is the final stage of gum disease and is not reversible, but is still treatable.
How Do You Prevent Gum Disease?
At home, you can floss every day, brush your teeth twice per day, and avoid habits that increase the risk of gum disease, like smoking. But even with perfect at-home oral habits, you still need to see a dentist routinely to prevent gum disease. Plaque and tartar can sometimes be impossible to remove without a proper cleaning.
