Gum disease is a fairly common condition that affects the soft tissue and bone supporting your teeth, including the gums, bones, and ligaments. These supporting structures play a big role in the stabilization and security of your teeth. When gum disease targets your smile, you may notice bleeding, swollen, tender gums, bad breath, gum recession, and in later stages, tooth loss.
Being such a common condition, most people will get gum disease at some point during their lifetime; anyone can get gum disease, but it is more common in people who have diabetes, smoke cigarettes, wear orthodontic appliances, take medications that suppress the immune system (like prednisone or chemotherapy drugs) or have a family history of severe periodontal disease. In its early stages, the disease can usually be managed by a proper oral cleaning regimen or eliminating bad habits.
When gum disease becomes more severe in its later stages, you will need the support of an oral health professional to manage the condition and protect your smile. If you believe you could be suffering from this condition, call our New Albany, IN office today and schedule an appointment.
As gum disease advances, its symptoms become more severe, and the amount of bone and tissue damage increases. Gum disease is categorized into three stages.
Gum disease begins with gingivitis, a condition characterized by swollen gums that bleed when brushed or flossed. Early diagnosis can prevent patients from developing irreversible conditions later in the disease process. You may be recommended a professional standard cleaning if you have gingivitis, as well as instruction on the proper way to brush and floss.
The next phase of gum disease is periodontitis. During this stage, you may experience gum recession, tooth sensitivities, and persistent bad breath. You may also experience tooth mobility.
With advanced periodontitis, the jawbone and teeth will continue suffering further damage from the disease as supporting structures are worn away. Loose teeth, pus pockets in tooth sockets, or constant gum and teeth pain are symptoms you may notice. Treatment is needed to prevent the disease from spreading to other parts of your body.
Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning procedure used to halt the progression of gum disease in it’s second and third stages. As the condition begins to form pockets between the teeth and gum tissue, we turn our attention towards cleaning these pockets and removing plaque, tartar, and food debris.
Using special tools, we will remove bacteria from the tooth surface in order to reduce inflammation of the gum tissue. We will also smooth out the bone and tooth roots where the bone has eroded due to bacteria. This will create a smooth, healthy surface for the gums to reattach.
When you choose Spring Family Dental, you choose a team that is prepared to fight for your smile and provide every treatment or resource you need to maintain your best health. If you’re suffering from gum disease, you shouldn’t have to fight on your own. Allow our team to be your support in eliminating the condition and getting back to better smile health. Should you suspect that you have this condition, call our practice today! We will fit you into our schedule as soon as possible and discuss options to get your smile back on track.