Gum Disease Treatment Farmington Hills
Do your gums look puffy or swollen or bleed when you brush? Do you have bad breath that won’t go away no matter how many times you gargle with mouthwash?
These are all signs of periodontal disease, that affects half of all US adults over age 30. Fortunately, gum disease is also highly preventable, and at Barone Family Dental, we help our patients maintain healthy teeth and gums with preventive teeth cleanings and patient education on oral hygiene and healthy eating habits.
What Is Gum Disease?
The medical term for gum disease is periodontal disease, which is caused by bacteria that live in the mouth. If you don’t brush and floss adequately, an overgrowth of these bacteria collects in dental plaque and causes gum inflammation.
Gingivitis Treatment
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, and while it’s very common, it’s also reversible with proper dental care and consistent oral hygiene. Common symptoms of gingivitis are bleeding and swollen gums.
Our hygienists will provide a thorough teeth cleaning and tips for improving brushing and flossing skills. These steps are often the only treatment needed to eliminate gingivitis, provided you follow through with routine teeth cleanings every six months or as recommended by our dentist.
Periodontitis Treatment
Without treatment, the inflammation spreads, opening pockets or spaces between the teeth and gums. As bacteria penetrate deeper beneath the gums, the inflammation attacks the tooth’s supporting bones and ligaments, eventually leading to tooth loss.
This advanced stage of gum disease is called periodontitis, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Treatment for periodontitis is a deep cleaning procedure called scaling and root planing.
- Scaling involves removing plaque and tartar from tooth surfaces, including under the gumline.
- Root planing smooths the root surfaces of teeth so that gums can more easily reattach as they heal.
We can help prevent periodontitis from progressing and causing further damage with proper treatment, but the condition is, unfortunately, not reversible. This is one reason why prompt gingivitis treatment is so crucial.
The Dangers of Gum Disease
Understanding the dangers of gum disease is crucial because it’s not just an oral health problem. Your mouth and body health are intricately linked, and we now know a connection exists between chronic gum infections and health conditions like heart and lung disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and many others.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Gum disease is common because the symptoms are often so subtle that they go unnoticed. So knowing what to look for is half the battle in preventing gum disease from damaging your long-term oral health.
- Swollen, inflamed, or tender gums
- Gums that bleed when you brush
- Sensitive teeth
- Pain when chewing
- Receding gums
- Teeth that feel loose
- Chronic bad breath
If you experience any of these symptoms, please call Barone Family Dental to schedule a prompt appointment. The sooner we treat gum disease, the less damage it can do, and the more positive the treatment outcomes will be.
Who Is at Risk for Gum Disease?
Common risk factors for developing gum disease include:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Age
- Genetics
- Certain medications
- Teeth grinding and clenching
- Tobacco use (smoking and smokeless)
- Systemic conditions like diabetes
- Hormonal changes (pregnancy and menopause)
Aside from poor oral hygiene practices, a significant risk factor for gum disease is smoking, which causes dry mouth and creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Smoking also makes you more prone to infection and slows healing after periodontal treatment.
Do You Have Signs of Gum Disease?
If you’re due for a teeth cleaning and want to ensure your gums are healthy or already suspect you have gingivitis, please call Barone Family Dental to schedule an appointment. We want to help you protect your smile from the effects of gum disease and will work with you to create a treatment plan to get it under control.
We are pleased to treat patients from Farmington Hills, West Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills, Novi, and all surrounding areas.
