Have you noticed a small amount of blood in the sink following brushing or flossing? If so, you may be experiencing one of the most common signs and symptoms of gum disease. If gum disease is caught during its earliest stages, we can often treat it using conservative periodontal disease treatment in Gaithersburg, MD. Treating gum disease can restore gum appearance and health.
A simple dental cleaning can clear your dentition and gums of the plaque and tartar buildup that causes gum disease. However, suppose your gum disease has progressed into its later stages. In that case, we must perform a more thorough procedure. Our office can remove bacteria from your deep gum pockets and stop the infection from spreading further. This is what is known as periodontal disease treatment. Learn more about our periodontal treatment plans below.
Signs of Gum Disease
The more plaque and tartar buildup around your gum line, the more likely this buildup will irritate your soft tissues. When this happens, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Bleeding gums following brushing or flossing
- Red, swollen, tender gums
- Receding gum line
- Deep gum pockets
- Chronic gum pain
- Persistent bad breath
- Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
When you notice a change in the comfort of your gums, contact our dentist’s office. Early gum disease treatment can save your teeth and gums.
The Stages of Gum Disease
There are multiple stages of gum disease. Knowing about these stages will help you understand what to look out for in each part of this disease:
- Gingivitis: This is the earliest stage of gum disease. If you develop gingivitis, you may notice bleeding and irritated gum tissue. Good oral hygiene and professional cleaning can help reverse gum inflammation.
- Mild Periodontitis: You will require a professional deep cleaning at this stage. Mild periodontitis is marked by deepening gum pockets and increased inflammation. As gum disease worsens, you will notice gum sensitivity.
- Moderate Periodontitis: This stage of gum disease is marked by jaw bone loss, deep gum pockets, and continual gum pain. You may also experience loosening teeth. You will require regular deep cleanings to preserve your gums.
- Advanced Periodontitis: Deep gum pockets and loose teeth mark this stage. Regular deep cleanings are not enough to treat advanced periodontitis. If you develop advanced gum disease, you will need oral surgery to save your teeth and gums.
Gum disease is not reversible, but it is manageable. If you have gum disease, we will create a treatment plan to manage your symptoms with regular cleanings. Scaling and root planing can treat reoccurring bacterial infections. If you have advanced periodontitis, you may require gum surgery and grafting to preserve your natural teeth and prevent tooth loss.
Periodontal Disease Treatment in Gaithersburg, MD
Dr. Steven Anolik and Dr. Corey Anolik are experienced restorative dentists in Gaithersburg, MD. They have helped many patients restore their smiles from the harmful effects of gum disease. Gum disease is caused by bacteria and food residue left on your dental structures long enough to harden into plaque and tartar.
Periodontal disease treatment is required when your gum disease has progressed too long, infecting your soft tissues. To treat more advanced gum disease, our doctors will perform a procedure known as scaling and planning.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing are a deep cleaning of your gum pockets. During the deep cleaning, we will remove any infected tissue to stop the progression in its tracks.
We use a stainless steel scaler to remove bacterial buildup underneath the gum line to begin treatment. Then, we perform root planing by moving the scaler to the tooth roots. The scaler removes bacteria and helps smooth the tooth roots. We use scaling and root planing together to reduce disease-causing bacteria and help the tooth roots reattach to the gums.
Managing Your Gum Health
To maintain your best gum health, schedule routine preventative care appointments at our Gaithersburg, MD, dentist’s office. Maintaining a strict preventative care schedule reduces your risk of plaque and tartar staying in your mouth.
Dental Cleaning and Periodontal Screening
Our skilled team members will clean your teeth during these preventative care appointments. Only a dental professional can remove tartar buildup. It’s difficult to remove this buildup with brushing and flossing alone. During cleanings, scaling the teeth and gums will remove bacterial buildup and help heal the gum tissue.
Our office will also perform a thorough periodontal screening. We look for signs of bleeding, inflammation, plaque, and calculus during this screening. In addition, we measure your gum pockets. This helps us determine the extent of your infection.
Diet
Additionally, you should reconsider your diet if you suffer from frequent symptoms of gum disease. Avoiding chewy foods like candies and potato chips or sugary beverages like soda can help prevent the residue left on your smile. Drinking water during and after meals also helps to reduce bacteria in the mouth and on tooth surfaces.
Tobacco
Using tobacco products can also contribute to gum disease. Smoking cigarettes, vaping, or using other tobacco products can increase your risk of developing gum disease. Nicotine in tobacco restricts the blood vessels. This means that it’s harder to fight off infection if you develop gum disease. Quitting smoking or vaping can help heal your gums.
Oral Hygiene
Brushing and flossing regularly will reduce your chances of gum disease progression. Brush and floss your teeth twice daily, once in the morning and once at night.
Flossing before brushing will remove food debris and bacteria from the gums. When you brush, use a soft-bristled brush. Do not brush too hard, as you can damage or irritate your gums. Sometimes, brushing and flossing are enough to reverse gum inflammation. However, if your gum problems persist, contact our office.
Receive Gum Disease Treatment
Are you experiencing the signs and symptoms of gum disease? Do you have chronic gum pain and discomfort? If so, schedule an appointment online for periodontal disease treatment in Gaithersburg, MD.
Contact us if you have questions about treating your symptoms. Dr. Corey Anolik and Dr. Steven Anolik are here to help. We look forward to helping you restore your gum health soon.