GUM DISEASE

TREATMENT

Gum disease is one of the most common dental issues, as over half of Americans have gum disease to some degree. Unfortunately, gum disease, also called periodontal disease, can be quite serious.

Without proper dental care and preventative steps, it is likely you will get gum disease. If left untreated, it will get increasingly worse until you lose your teeth.

The good news is that most often it is possible to prevent gum disease. If you already have gum disease, it’s possible to keep it from worsening. All you need to do is regularly visit our dental office for gum disease treatment and prevention, and keep your teeth clean while at home.

Contact Homer Dental Center today to learn more or book an appointment! 

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is inflammation and infection in the soft tissues that support and attach to your teeth. Generally, gum disease occurs because of poor dental health habits, but some people are more likely to get gum disease because of their genetics. 

Gum disease, aka periodontal disease, happens in stages. There are four stages, and here’s what you need to know about each:

  • Gingivitis: At this early stage, you’ll notice red, puffy gums that may bleed when you floss. At this point, gum disease is reversible through good dental hygiene and dental cleanings.
  • Mild Periodontitis: The second stage of gum disease occurs when the infection starts to affect the bone beneath your gums. You may notice gums pulling away from teeth, creating pockets. Bacteria gathers in these pockets. 
  • Moderate Periodontitis: Next, bacteria can wear down your ligaments and bones. This causes bad breath and sometimes pushes around your gum line. Many people notice pain at this more serious stage. 
  • Advanced Periodontitis: At its worst stage, you’ll lose bone density, leading to loose teeth. If not treated, your teeth will eventually fall out. You are highly likely to experience pain in your mouth.

Once gum disease moves beyond gingivitis, the damage can’t be completely reversed, although it can be managed. So, seeing a dentist at the earliest signs of gum disease is critical to maintain your smile.

Watch our informational video about periodontal disease and how it affects people throughout the world.

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Tips for Preventing Gum Disease

While it’s possible to get gum disease even if you have great dental health habits, poor dental hygiene usually contributes to or causes this oral health problem.

To prevent gum disease, you can follow general guidelines for oral health, such as:

It is also important to tell your dentist if you are dealing with systemic health issues that could affect your oral health. Sometimes your body will struggle to keep healthy teeth if it is trying to fight off a disease or heal you after surgery. We can be proactive about preventing issues in your smile by recommending products that can help your smile and focusing on other preventative care.

  • Brushing your teeth twice per day
  • Flossing at least once per day
  • Avoiding or quitting tobacco and smoking
  • Using antibacterial mouthwash
  • Seeing your dentist at least twice per year

Dr. Adamson can also help you take specific steps based on your health history and habits to prevent gum disease. 

Scaling and Root Planing 

Gum disease can cause a lot of problems with both your oral health and overall health. As gum disease progresses to later stages, you may require a special kind of cleaning called scaling and root planing to maintain your smile.

Scaling and root planing is a common treatment for gum disease that keeps the problem from worsening. 

Let’s look at how the scaling and root planing procedure works. You can even watch this video to help you understand our procedure.

What Is Scaling and Root Planing?

Because scaling and root planing are more intensive than normal dental cleaning, we start the scaling and root planing procedure with the administration of a local anesthetic to reduce any discomfort. 

Then, a small instrument called a “scaler,” or an ultrasonic cleaner is used to clean beneath your gum line to remove plaque and tartar. The root surfaces of the tooth are then planed and smoothed to allow the gum tissue to heal and reattach itself to the tooth.

Scaling and root planing are essential for many patients because regular cleanings don’t get below the gumline. So, this treatment is necessary to remove excess tartar and prevent tooth and bone loss.

Protect Your Teeth with Gum Disease Treatment

Gum disease may be a common dental issue, but it’s also a potentially serious one. If you notice signs of gum disease, acting quickly is essential. Otherwise, you’re at risk of painful symptoms and serious dental health concerns, like tooth loss.

Dr. Adamson and the Homer Dental Center team want you to be as comfortable as possible during treatment, so we utilize anesthesia and pain management during scaling and root planing.

We can work with you in the first stages of gum disease to ensure it doesn’t get worse. Call, email, or text today to book an appointment!

Contact our office by phone or email to request an appointment!