Keeping your gums healthy is important for oral health as well as your overall health. Many patients do not realize that poor oral health habits can lead to serious health problems. Gum disease is one of the most serious dental conditions affecting patients of all ages. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss and bone loss.
The disease also has links to multiple other chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke. Maintaining proper oral health is the best way to avoid gums disease. Dr. Sahil Goyal offers periodontal disease treatment in Frederick, MD for patients who suffer from this dental disease. Visit us to remove your plaque and tartar from your teeth and below the gum line.
The Stages of Gum Disease
The early stage of gum disease is gingivitis. The most obvious signs include bleeding gums and gum inflammation. However, gingivitis can also have no symptoms at all. The good new is gingivitis is easy to treat with more frequent dental cleanings in our dentist office.
Periodontitis, on the other hand, is the advanced stage of gum disease. This stage of the dental disease can cause permanent damage to the gum tissue and underlying bone. Severe gum disease requires intensive restorative dentistry treatment to address damage and restore the teeth and gums.
Gum Disease: Risks and Symptoms
Patients are at a higher risk of developing gum disease because of family history and genetics, smoking or tobacco use. Bad oral hygiene also contributes to the development of gum disease.
Gum disease is a silent disease. Many patients do not experience any obvious signs or symptoms until advanced stages of the disease. Visit the dentist at least twice a year so that we can screen for evidence and provide treatment.
Some of the more common symptoms include:
- Sore gums
- Bleeding gums
- Gum recession
- Loose teeth
- Toothaches
- Bad breath (Halitosis)
- Mouth sores
Treating Gum Disease
Dr. Goyal uses scaling and root planing are procedures in tandem. Scaling removes plaque and calculus (tartar) from beneath the gum tissues. Root planing smooths down the tooth roots so that they can easily reattach to the tooth. Laser dentistry allows our dentists to remove infected gum tissue without pain.
Laser dentistry might sound intimidating, but this method of treatment is comfortable and safe for both patients and dentists. We may prescribe antibacterial rinses and antibiotics to prevent infection from returning after treatment in our office.
We may refer patients who have advanced gum disease to our local periodontist for more intense treatment or surgery. Dr. Goyal will work with the periodontist to create a detailed treatment plan. The plan will treat the gum disease and then restore damaged and lost teeth in our office.
Preventing Gum Disease
Brushing your teeth and flossing every day is the best way to prevent periodontal disease. The best type of toothpaste to use is one with fluoride in it. The best type of toothbrush to use is a soft-bristle kind. Try to be gentle when brushing and flossing because brushing aggressively can cause gum bleeding and recession.
Regular biannual dental checkups and professional cleanings are also an important part of maintaining gum and tooth health. Our dental hygienists use specialized instruments and techniques to reach areas that your toothbrush and floss can’t.
Detecting early forms of gum disease by evaluating your gum tissue is also possible. We can assess the health of your teeth and gums by taking x-rays. Contact our office with any concerns about your gum health, or if you have symptoms of gum disease.
Other ways you can help prevent gum disease is to simply take care of your body. This especially includes refraining from smoking. Not only is smoking tobacco bad for you oral health, but it is also bad for your overall health.
Periodontal Disease Treatment FAQs
Continue reading to get answers to the most frequently-asked questions about gum disease treatment. As a common dental concern that can affect anyone, it is important to learn about this disease. Contact our Frederick dental office if you have additional questions.
Which form of periodontal disease is reversible?
The only reversible stage of periodontal disease is the first stage, gingivitis. Dr. Goyal can reverse gingivitis because the infection has not yet spread to the bone. The most typical symptom during the initial stages is bleeding gums.
What is periodontitis caused by?
The accumulation of plaque and bacteria on the teeth is a leading cause of periodontal condition. Plaque builds up on your teeth everyday which is why brushing multiple times a day and flossing is so important. Periodontal disease symptoms include red, swollen, and bleeding gums that can cause difficulty chewing, pain, and ultimately tooth loss.
How is periodontitis diagnosed?
During a periodontal examination, your dentist or dental hygienist will determine if you have periodontal disease. Your regular dental checkup should always include an examination like this. Professionals are the only people who are able to diagnose periodontitis.
Will I lose my teeth if I have periodontal disease?
Periodontitis, a severe gum infection, can result in tooth loss and other serious health complications. Gum disease is an infection of the gums that can spread to the supporting bone without treatment. If treated properly it should not result in tooth loss, however it is still a possibility.
Can antibiotics cure periodontitis?
Antibiotics can treat gum disease in its early stages, however they should not be the only course of treatment. They alone cannot cure periodontitis. Instead, you should use antibiotics in conjunction with professional dental cleaning, scaling, and root planing. A dental deep cleaning is the primary treatment for periodontitis.
Dr. Sahil Goyal works with patients on an individual basis to diagnose and treat gum disease. At the Frederick Center for Dentistry, we help patients manage gum disease with preventative care and conservative dental solutions. You can contact our Frederick, Maryland dental office by calling 301-264-5680 or scheduling an appointment with us online.