All You Need to Know About Gum Disease
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a serious progressive condition that affects the gums and tissues supporting the teeth, with devastating consequences on your oral health. Our team at Roam Dental emphasizes the importance of the prevention, early treatment, and management of gum disease to maintain a healthy smile for many years to come.
Understanding Gum Disease
Gum disease is a chronic inflammatory condition primarily caused by bacteria and plaque buildup along the gum line. It typically progresses in stages, starting with gingivitis. Left untreated, it can advance to a destructive form of periodontal disease known as periodontitis, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults over 35.
Risk factors for gum disease include poor oral hygiene, not keeping up with regular dental checkups and professional cleanings, diabetes, family history, the natural aging process, tooth misalignment, and hormonal changes, such as those that occur during pregnancy. Recognizing the warning signs and symptoms of gum disease will ensure prompt treatment for the best possible outcomes.
What Are the Signs of Gum Disease?
Signs of periodontal disease include red, tender, or swollen gums, bleeding when brushing and flossing, persistent bad breath, receding gums, changes in the bite, and loose or shifting teeth. Visiting Roam Dental for your regular dental checkups and cleanings will ensure that any signs of gum disease are identified and treated early on before any permanent damage to your oral health.
How Is Gum Disease Treated?
The first line of treatment for gum disease is a deep professional cleaning, a procedure known as scaling and root planing. The non-surgical treatment involves the removal of plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth and along your gum line and cleaning and smoothing your tooth root surfaces. That helps promote healing and gum tissue reattachment and also helps prevent further plaque and bacteria buildup.
Scaling and root planing can usually reverse gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. It can also manage periodontitis, preventing further damage to your oral health. If, however, the condition is at an advanced stage, we may recommend more involved treatments to keep your gums as healthy as possible.
What Happens After Gum Disease Treatment?
We typically ask you to return to our office 6-8 weeks after your scaling and root planing treatment. We will clean your teeth and assess your gum health. If you need further intervention, we will discuss all possible options.
Most people with gum disease require periodontal maintenance appointments every 3-4 months. We typically clean your teeth, evaluate your gum tissues, measure the depth of your periodontal pockets, assess gum recession, and ensure the condition does not progress. Our goal is to keep your gums healthy and your natural teeth in place for as long as possible.
Gum Disease Treatment and Management Near Me in Shelby Township, MI
Visit Roam Dental to learn more about maintaining healthy gums and teeth. Dr. Barbu and his team are committed to treating and managing gum disease to maintain healthy smiles for a lifetime. We invite you to call 586-500-ROAM to schedule your appointment or book one online today! We look forward to caring for all your dental needs.