Have you noticed a small amount of blood in the sink after you brush or floss? 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. But if your gum disease has progressed into its later stages, you need more complex care. 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.
What Causes Gum Disease?
The main cause of gum disease is plaque buildup on your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth after eating or drinking. If you don’t brush and floss regularly, this plaque hardens into tartar, which is much harder to remove. Plaque and tartar irritate the gums and lead to gum disease if not treated early.
Poor oral hygiene is a major contributor to gum disease. Skipping regular brushing or flossing allows plaque to stay on your teeth longer, which gives bacteria more time to damage your gums. Without proper care, the bacteria multiply and cause swollen, red, and irritated gums.
Smoking or using tobacco products is another significant cause of gum disease. Tobacco weakens your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight infections. Smoking also slows down gum healing, which means your gums are more likely to be damaged by the bacteria in plaque and tartar. This makes smokers much more likely to develop gum disease compared to non-smokers.
Signs of Gum Disease
You need to get dental care as soon as you notice a change in your gum health. Early care is the best way to prevent severe problems like loose teeth. We can treat signs of gum disease in our Gaithersburg, MD, dental office:
- Swollen or tender gums
- Red gums
- Bleeding gums
- Gum recession
- Deep gum pockets
- Tooth sensitivity
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Loose teeth
- Shifting teeth
Gum disease can develop in stages. 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 recurring 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 at TotallySmiles
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 gum disease has progressed too long and infects your soft tissues. To treat more advanced gum disease, our doctors will perform a procedure known as scaling and planing. This is a deep cleaning of your gum pockets. During the deep cleaning, we remove any infected tissue to stop the progression of gum disease in its tracks.
To begin treatment, we use a stainless steel scaler to remove bacterial buildup underneath the gum line. 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. A strict preventative care schedule reduces the risk of plaque and tartar remaining 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, which is difficult to remove with brushing and flossing alone. Scaling the teeth and gums will remove bacterial buildup and help heal the gum tissue during cleaning.
Our office will also perform a thorough periodontal screening. During this screening, we look for signs of bleeding, inflammation, plaque, and calculus. We measure your gum pockets to help us determine the extent of your infection.
Diet
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 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 developing gum disease. You should 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, good oral hygiene is enough to reverse gum inflammation. However, if your gum problems persist, contact our office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you want to know more? We can help. Read answers to common questions about gum disease in Gaithersburg, MD.
What health problems increase the risk of gum disease?
Certain medical conditions, like diabetes, can also increase your risk of gum disease. High blood sugar levels in people with diabetes can make it easier for infections to take hold in the gums. Also, diabetes affects the body’s ability to heal and can make it harder to recover from gum infections. Other health issues, like heart disease and weakened immune systems, can also contribute to gum problems.
Hormonal changes in women during pregnancy, puberty, or menopause can make the gums more sensitive to plaque. During these times, gums may become more prone to inflammation and sensitivity.
Can a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) cure gum disease?
Deep cleaning can effectively control and slow down gum disease, but doesn’t completely cure it. This procedure removes bacteria and plaque buildup from below the gum line to help the gums heal and prevent further damage.
Controlling gum disease requires ongoing care. We’ll help you develop a personalized maintenance plan to keep your gums healthy after treatment.
How can I keep my gums healthy after periodontal therapy?
One of the best ways to improve your gum health after treatment is to amp up your oral hygiene routine. Brush twice a day and floss at least once a day to remove leftover food from between your teeth. You can also use a fluoride toothpaste to help strengthen your tooth enamel.
We also recommend that you visit TotallySmiles at least twice a year for a routine cleaning. If you have chronic gum problems, we recommend that you schedule visits every 3 to 4 months. Our team offers deep gum cleanings on a more frequent basis to stop plauque and tartar from affecting your gums.
Is gum disease hereditary?
Gum disease isn’t directly inherited, but your genes can increase your risk. If your parents had gum disease, you might be more prone to inflammation, sensitive gums, or infections. Good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups can significantly reduce your risk, regardless of family history. Let us know if gum disease runs in your family so we can create a tailored plan to protect your gums.
Does gum disease cause bad breath even after brushing?
Yes, persistent bad breath, even after you brush your teeth, is often a sign of gum disease. Gum disease creates pockets around teeth where bacteria thrive, producing odors that brushing alone won’t remove. Professional cleaning and treatment can greatly reduce these odors. If you continue to have bad breath, we can evaluate and address any underlying gum issues.
Can receding gums from gum disease grow back?
Gum tissue lost to gum disease can’t grow back on its own. Once gums have receded, that tissue is permanently gone without professional intervention. But treatments like gum grafting can restore the lost tissue by surgically placing new gum material over the exposed root surfaces. Proper oral hygiene and regular dental care can help prevent future recession.
Are there medications that can make gum disease worse?
Certain medications can worsen gum disease or increase your risk of developing it. These include drugs that cause dry mouth, blood pressure medications, and some anticonvulsants. Dry mouth reduces saliva, allowing bacteria to multiply and increasing the risk of gum problems. If you’re taking medication regularly, tell us during your next visit, and we’ll help you manage any increased risk.
How often should someone with a history of gum disease visit the dentist?
If you’ve had gum disease, we usually recommend dental visits every 3 to 4 months instead of the standard six-month schedule. More frequent cleanings help manage plaque buildup, monitor gum health, and quickly address any issues that might arise. Regular visits are key to preventing gum disease from returning or worsening. We’ll set a personalized schedule based on your specific gum health needs.
Schedule a Dental Visit Today
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 Dr. Corey Anolik and Dr. Steven Anolik if you have any questions. We look forward to helping you restore your gum health soon.