Periodontal disease, commonly called gum disease, is a condition that affects the gum tissue in the mouth. It affects a large portion of the population despite being preventable. Understanding the causes and recognizing the signs can help you prevent damage to your oral health. If you suffer from this condition, the dental team at Storts Family Dentistry offers minimally invasive and highly effective periodontal disease treatment in Ardmore and Madill, OK.
Gum disease treatment is part of restorative care. When a gum infection is left untreated, it can lead to serious damage, including gum recession, bone loss, and even tooth loss. Treating gum disease not only keeps your teeth and gums healthy; it also repairs damage from the infection.
What Causes Gum Disease?
The primary cause of gum disease is plaque buildup on the teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that contains harmful bacteria that produce toxins. If you do not regularly remove plaque from your teeth, it will harden into tartar. Tartar provides even more breeding ground for bacteria.
Plaque and tartar lead to gum inflammation and bacterial infections below the gum line. There are various stages of gum disease, the first being gingivitis. While it is easy for your dentist to spot, you may not know you have gingivitis because the symptoms are usually mild.
However, without treating gingivitis, periodontitis will develop. It typically has harder-to-ignore symptoms, such as receding gums and loose teeth. Without treatment, it will turn into advanced periodontitis.
Common Signs of Gum Disease
It is essential to recognize the signs of gum disease. You can seek early intervention and effective treatment from your dentist. The symptoms can vary depending on the stage of the disease, but common signs include:
- Gum Inflammation: Swollen and red gums are often the first visible signs of gum disease. Healthy gums should appear pink and firm. When you develop gum disease, your gums can appear red and feel sore.
- Bleeding Gums: Gums that bleed during brushing or flossing are signs of gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease. Healthy gums should not bleed with regular oral care. If your gums bleed when you brush and floss, taking your time to floss before you brush once a day can help.
- Persistent Bad Breath: Bacteria in the mouth release toxins that can cause chronic bad breath, known as halitosis. Leftover food in the mouth that attract harmful bacteria also cause bad breath. Dry mouth, which also creates gum disease, also leads to bad breath.
- Receding Gums: As gum disease progresses, the gums may start to pull away from the teeth. They create pockets where bacteria can accumulate.
- Loose or Shifting Teeth: Advanced stages of gum disease can result in the loss of bone support, leading to loose or shifting teeth. As bacteria attack the gum tissue, they break it down. Over time, this loosens your natural teeth.
Can Gum Disease Be Cured?
Not all cases of gum disease can be completely cured, and how we treat it depends on how serious the problem is. Gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, can be reversed. If it’s caught early, it can often be treated successfully with help from your dentist. This usually means getting a thorough cleaning to remove plaque and tartar, along with tips on how to take better care of your teeth at home. Regular brushing and flossing help reverse gingivitis and keep your gums healthy.
However, if gum disease progresses to a more serious stage called periodontal disease, it gets more complicated. At this point, the damage to your gums and the supporting structures around your teeth can be severe. It requires ongoing care and management to keep it under control and prevent further damage. This might include more frequent dental cleanings, special treatments like scaling and root planing, and sometimes surgery to fix damaged tissue.
Gum Disease Treatment in Southern Oklahoma
Before you begin treatment for gum disease, we welcome you to make an appointment with us. During this visit, we will thoroughly examine your mouth for signs of gum disease. We may also take dental X-rays to see areas of bone loss or gum recession.
Periodontal disease treatment in our Ardmore and Marietta dental offices includes:
Professional Dental Cleanings
If you have gum inflammation, also called gingivitis, you might only need a regular dental cleaning to fix the problem. This professional cleaning, done by your dental hygienist during your checkup, is essential to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Plaque, a sticky layer of bacteria, can build up on your teeth and gums over time. If it’s not cleaned off, it turns into tartar, making your gums swollen and irritated.
Professional cleaning removes both plaque and tartar from areas that brushing and flossing can’t always reach. Your hygienist will use special tools to clean around your gums and between your teeth. This cleaning can reduce inflammation and stop gum disease from getting worse.
Scaling and Root Planing
For more advanced cases of gum disease, you may need a deep cleaning treatment called scaling and root planing. This intensive dental cleaning removes tartar below the gum line and smooths the tooth roots.
First, your dentist removes plaque and tartar buildup from the deep gum pockets. They will smooth out the tooth roots to discourage further bacterial growth and encourage the gums to reattach to the teeth. This treatment helps prevent gum recession and tooth loss.
If you have persistent gum disease, we will recommend deep gum cleanings on a regular basis.
Laser Dentistry
Advanced gum disease may leave you with damaged and diseased gum tissue. Our dentist will need to remove this tissue to prevent the progression of the disease.
A dental laser can remove diseased tissue with great accuracy. The laser uses light and heat to cut the tissue, without needing scalpels or stitches. This method helps reduce bleeding, shortens recovery time, and speeds up healing. Patients feel less pain and can get back to their normal routine faster than with traditional gum surgery.
To learn more about the benefits of using dental lasers to treat gum disease, see Laser Dentistry.
The Risks of Untreated Gum Disease
Ignoring or neglecting treatment for gum disease can seriously affect oral and overall health. Some of the risks associated with untreated gum disease include:
- Bad Breath: Gum disease causes bad breath because of bacteria that build up in the mouth. When you have gum disease, bacteria grow in the spaces between your gums and teeth. These bacteria produce toxins and release a bad odor. As the infection gets worse, the bacteria and their byproducts make your breath smell bad,
- Systemic Health Issues: There is a growing body of evidence linking gum disease to systemic health issues. Gum disease is linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory problems. Inflammation can spread throughout the body via the bloodstream. Untreated gum disease can also contribute to chronic inflammation, which is associated with various health conditions and can impact overall well-being.
- Compromised Oral Function: Gum disease can affect the bite and lead to difficulty in chewing, speaking, and overall oral function. Gum infections damage the supporting structures of the teeth, including the gums, bone, and ligaments. This can result in tooth shifting, loosening, or even tooth loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a deep cleaning cure gum disease?
Yes, deep cleaning can effectively treat gum disease, especially in its early stages. It removes plaque and tartar below the gum line, allowing your gums to heal. Additional treatments will be necessary for advanced gum disease.
How do I know what stage of gum disease I have?
Gum disease stages aren’t always easy to spot. Early signs of gum disease include red, swollen gums that bleed when you brush. As it progresses, you might notice bad breath or loose teeth. Only a periodontist or dentist can diagnose the exact stage. We use special tools to measure gum pockets and check for bone loss. Regular exams help catch gum disease early when it’s easier to treat.
What is the best toothpaste for gum disease?
Toothpaste containing fluoride and antibacterial agents can help manage gum disease. Look for products designed to fight plaque and gingivitis. We can recommend the best option for your needs.
Can children develop gum disease?
Yes, children can develop gum disease, though it’s less common than in adults. Poor oral health can lead to gingivitis in kids. Teaching proper brushing and flossing habits early on helps prevent this.
Can gum disease cause tooth loss?
Untreated, periodontal disease can cause tooth loss. The infection damages the tissues and bone that support your teeth. Early treatment is crucial to prevent this serious outcome.
What are the different types of gum disease?
The main types are gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the early stage, with red, swollen gums that may bleed. If untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, causing gum recession and bone loss around teeth.
Treatment for Gum Disease in Southern Oklahoma
Gum disease is a preventable condition. However, if you are diagnosed with it, Storts Family Dentistry offers comprehensive periodontal disease treatment in Madill and Ardmore, OK.
We will provide you with timely treatment to help you manage your condition at any stage. You can reach us at (580) 260-3410 or schedule an appointment online.