Healthy gums are the foundation for healthy teeth. Unfortunately, many dentists and patients often overlook the gums until there is a crisis.
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease, better known as gum disease, is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Monroe, North Carolina dentist Dr. Leonard Hess performs a periodontal screening to check for the signs and symptoms of gum disease at each visit. This is the best way to prevent problems and ensure the simplest and most conservative treatment.
Why Fight Gum Disease?
It may be surprising to know that 75% of American adults have some form of gum disease. Not only is gum disease a serious dental concern, but the condition also has been strongly linked to other medical issues such as heart disease and diabetes.
Gum disease is considered a “silent disease,” and most patients experience no pain or obvious symptoms until the advanced stages of the disease. Periodontal treatment is one of the general dentistry services Dr. Hess provides to Monroe, North Carolina.
Prevention is the best way to reduce your risk of gum disease. Regular at-home care and routine dentist visits can prevent plaque from building up around the teeth and gum line.
Risk Factors of Gum Disease
Gum disease is a common infection that affects the gum tissue. It develops when natural oral bacteria reach the gums and eat away at the soft tissue.
Patients of any age or background could face a risk of contracting gum disease, but some people may see a greater danger than others. Risk factors of this gum infection include:
- Aggressive oral bacteria
- Neglected oral hygiene
- Tobacco usage
- Chronic dry mouth
- Certain health conditions, including pregnancy
- Poor nutrition
Even patients with pre-existing conditions that endanger them from gum disease can maintain good periodontal health. Fight gum disease with proper at-home oral hygiene and routine care for your smile. If you have these risk factors, you might need extra dental attention to protect your gums.
Gum Disease Symptoms
If you develop gum disease, you can notice some symptoms in your smile that can clue you into this infection. Notify your dentist and book a gum disease screening if any of these symptoms sound familiar:
- Red or irritated gum tissue
- Swollen or puffy-looking gums
- Gums that bleed easily
- Soreness or tenderness in the gums
- Receding gum tissue
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Chronic bad breath
Sometimes, patients do not notice any symptoms when they have gum disease. For this reason, you should regularly attend check-ups at your dentist’s office so that your dentist can check for signs of this infection you might miss on your own.
Stages of Gum Disease
Gum disease is a progressive condition, meaning that it will spread and worsen without treatment from a dentist. It will not go away on its own, so make sure you do not hesitate to pursue periodontal therapy. Gum disease will advance in the following stages:
- Gingivitis: When bacteria first reach the gums, they irritate the gum tissue, causing it to become inflamed. This is the initial stage of gum disease, gingivitis.
- Periodontitis: Bacteria penetrate deep into the gum pockets to eat away at the tooth’s root and jawbone. This advanced stage of gum infection, periodontitis, can cause enough damage that a tooth can fall out of its socket.
Treatment Options for Gum Disease
Your dentist can offer a variety of treatments to eradicate excess bacteria and restore healthy gum tissue in the wake of gum disease. They will begin treating the infection with a thorough cleaning regimen called scaling and root planing. First, the dentist will use a scaler tool to remove bacterial build-up deep in the gum pockets. They then gently press the gum tissue against the tooth in a process called root planing to encourage tissue reattachment to the teeth.
The dentist may also recommend using an antibacterial mouthwash at home. This product can boost oral hygiene and balance natural oral bacteria to reduce the risk of further damage to the gums.
Periodontal Treatment FAQs
Gum disease treatment is crucial to maintain your oral health. Read the answers to these frequently asked questions to learn more.
Does treatment for periodontitis hurt?
Your periodontal treatment will not cause pain. It will alleviate your gum pain as soon as treatment is completed. You may feel slight discomfort after leaving the dentist’s office, but it will disappear shortly. You can go back to full normal function in about 24 hours.
Does dental insurance cover gum disease treatments?
Most dental insurance plans will cover your gum disease treatment. This type of treatment can be seen as a restorative treatment to fix the function of your mouth. Insurance companies decide what to cover, but most restorative treatments are covered. Contact your insurer to find out exactly what they will cover for you.
Will my periodontal disease go away without medical treatment?
No, it is not likely that your periodontal disease will go away without treatment from a dentist. You can take measures to prevent the symptoms from worsening, but you will still have periodontal disease if you do not seek professional periodontal treatment.
Can I give someone else gum disease by kissing them?
No, gum disease is not contagious. However, sharing saliva and bacteria with someone with gum disease over a long time could increase the likelihood of transmitting the disease to your partner.
Do my gums reattach after periodontal treatment?
Yes. Within a week, your gums start to heal and reattach to the tooth roots. You should be able to return to normal brushing and flossing after that first week. However, it does take a little longer for the mouth to heal completely. You should experience this in about six to eight weeks.
Does the gum tissue grow back after periodontal treatment?
No, gum tissue doesn’t regenerate after it’s gone. If your gums have receded excessively, you may require a gum graft in the areas where it’s worst. However, the remaining gum tissue will reattach to the tooth root after deep cleaning.