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
One of the first signs of gum disease is swollen or tender gums. You might notice that your gums look red instead of a healthy pink. They may bleed when you brush or floss your teeth. This bleeding is often a warning sign that you should not ignore. If you see blood in the sink after brushing, it’s time to pay attention to your gums.
Another symptom of gum disease is bad breath. If your breath smells bad after brushing your teeth, this could be a sign of gum disease. The bacteria in your mouth can produce foul-smelling compounds that lead to persistent bad breath. If your breath doesn’t improve with regular brushing and mouthwash, consider visiting your dentist.
People with gum disease may also experience changes in their gums. You might notice that your gums pull away from your teeth, making your teeth look longer. This is known as gum recession. Gum recession can create pockets between your teeth and gums, where bacteria can thrive and lead to further issues. If you observe this change, it’s important to seek dental care.
Sometimes, gum disease can cause tooth sensitivity. If your teeth feel more sensitive to hot or cold temperatures, this could be due to gum issues. You might feel discomfort when eating or drinking hot coffee or ice water. This sensitivity can be uncomfortable and might indicate that you need to see a dentist.
In more advanced stages of gum disease, you may notice loose teeth. As the disease progresses, it can damage the bone that supports your teeth, leading to instability. If your teeth feel loose or shift position, contact your dentist immediately.
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 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 planning.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing are deep cleanings of your gum pockets. During the deep cleaning, we remove any infected tissue to stop the progression 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. In addition, we measure your gum pockets, which helps us determine the extent of your infection.
Diet
Additionally, if you suffer from frequent symptoms of gum disease, you should reconsider your diet. 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 developing gum disease. 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.
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 lead to infection, causing your gums to become swollen, red, and irritated.
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.
Certain medical conditions, such as 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. Additionally, diabetes affects the body’s ability to heal, making 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, particularly during pregnancy, puberty, or menopause, can make the gums more sensitive to plaque. During these times, gums may become more prone to inflammation, increasing the risk of gum disease.
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.