Gum Disease Treatment Silverdale, WA
Gum Disease Treatment provided by Dr. Kasey Gillespie, DDS
in Silverdale, WA at Life Long Dental
Good oral health involves paying attention to your teeth, tongue, and gums. However, no matter how often you floss or brush your teeth, you will likely have gum disease.
Your mouth consists of tiny bacteria. When they mix with saliva and other particles, they form plaque, which can later form tartar, a hard substance
If left unattended, plaque and tartar can cause gingivitis or periodontitis. The good news is that you can treat gum disease with good oral hygiene and regular dental cleanings.
At Life Long Dental, we are committed to providing the best gum disease treatments that deliver accurate results and improve your oral health.
Stages of Gum Disease
Periodontal disease is the common cause of loose teeth or teeth even falling out. If caught in its early stages, it can be easier to treat. Gingivitis is the leading stage of periodontal disease. In the early stage of gingivitis, you may experience swollen or red gums. Other symptoms may include bad breath or bleeding gums during brushing.
Usually, gingivitis occurs due to poor oral hygiene or certain medication. If detected in its early stage, gingivitis can be reversed by improving dental hygiene or professional dental cleaning to remove plaque.
If not treated properly, gingivitis can turn into periodontitis. Periodontitis is a severe oral condition that can cause the pulling away of the gums. When bacteria form in the periodontal pockets, infection occurs, leading to bone loss, which in turn results in loose teeth. When you have this gum disease, your gums will bleed easily and become swollen or tender to the touch. You are also likely to have pus in your mouth, which can lead to bad breath.
While nearly almost everyone will get gingivitis, only a few get to the advanced stage of periodontitis.
Some factors that increase the risk of gingivitis progressing to periodontitis include smoking, health conditions such as diabetes, and a family history of gum diseases. Luckily, you can prevent periodontal disease with regular oral hygiene, routine dental exams, and cleanings.
What Are the Signs of Gum Disease?
Gum disease is an oral condition that can lead to severe damage if left untreated. In this case, it is wise to understand the signs of gum disease so that you can seek dental care before it progresses to the next stage.
The most common sign of periodontal disease is bleeding when brushing and flossing. Plaque buildup in your teeth can cause infection, making the tissue prone to bleeding. Painful, swollen, or red gums is another sign of gum disease.
If you have longer-looking teeth, chances are you have periodontal disease. Infection can result in gum recession. Toxins can destroy the tissues and bones that support the teeth. This can make the tooth appear longer and the smile looks more “toothy.”
Loose teeth and pus also indicate the presence of gum disease. These signs show that there is a rapidly progressing periodontal disease. In this case, you may need urgent dental care to prevent the disease from advancing to the next stage.
What Are The Causes Of Gum Disease?
Poor oral hygiene is among the most common causes of gum disease. When you don’t floss or brush properly, bacteria will build up and form plaque. Luckily, you can reverse the early stage of gum disease by scheduling regular dental checkups.
Your dentist will remove plaque and tartar to treat periodontal disease. Smoking and chewing tobacco are other causes of gum disease. These activities affect the normal functioning of the gum tissue cells, making you susceptible to gum disease.
Crooked teeth can also cause gum disease. Misaligned teeth create a good place for plaque buildup, a common cause of gum disease. In this case, it is best to consult your dentist. Your dentist may recommend braces or aligners. Regardless of the causes of gum disease, the dentist will suggest a personalized gum disease treatment.
Which is the Best Gum Disease Treatment? Your dentist will develop a gum disease treatment plan based on your overall health, the state of your gum tissue, and the stage of periodontal disease. Gum disease treatments range from surgical procedures to non-surgical therapies.
Non-surgical treatments involve dental cleaning, scaling, and root planing. Dental cleaning involves the removal of plaque and tartar to stop periodontal disease from progressing. It also acts as a preventive measure for gum disease.
Scaling and planing, other non-surgical procedures, involves scraping away plaque and tartar and any rough spot of the tooth. This procedure helps in smoothing the teeth roots, thus preventing plaque and tartar from returning.
The most common surgical gum disease treatment is pocket reduction surgery. It involves making tiny incisions in the gums to enable access for deep cleaning. This procedure is recommended when the gum disease has progressed to periodontitis. In some cases, the dentist smoothens the damaged bone to reduce areas where bacteria can hide.
Another surgical gum disease treatment is a bone graft. This involves using donated bone or fragments of your bone to replace the bone damaged by periodontal disease.
Your dentist may also recommend soft tissue graft as a gum disease treatment. This procedure is perfect for candidates with receding gum lines. It helps to strengthen thin gums or fill in places where the tooth roots are exposed.
Is Gum Disease Reversible?
Gum disease is a common oral condition affecting a lot of adults. This makes many people worried, and thus they come up with questions such as, ’is gum disease reversible?’
Gum disease is reversible only if detected and treated in the early stages. Our Silverdale dentist can help to reverse gum disease by removing tartar from the root of your teeth and gum line.
However, reversing gum disease in the periodontitis stage can be challenging. At this stage, the dentist will only slow down the disease and prevent it from progressing. In this case, it is good to catch gum disease earlier before it gets to periodontitis.
Gum disease can affect the quality of your life. Imagine dealing with bad breath, bleeding, and swollen gums. It is challenging since eating and smiling in public will be difficult. In this case, it would be best to prevent periodontal disease by paying attention to your oral health. You can succeed in this by having a consistent partnership with a professional dentist.
Request a Silverdale Dental Appointment Today!
To learn more about gum disease and treatment procedures in Silverdale, visit us at Life Long Dental or contact us at (360) 633-2377 today! |