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 measures. A simple dental cleaning can clear your dentition and gums of the plaque and tartar buildup which is what causes your gum disease. However, if your gum disease has progressed into its later stages, we will need to perform a more aggressive procedure to remove any bacteria from your deep gum pockets and stop the infection from spreading further along. This is what is known as periodontal disease treatment. Learn more about our periodontal treatment plans below.
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 being left on your dental structures long enough for them to harden into plaque and tartar. The more plaque and tartar that is built up around your gum line, the more likely it is that 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
- Persistent bad breath
- Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
Periodontal disease treatment is required when your gum disease has progressed for too long, infecting your soft tissues. To treat more advanced gum disease, our doctors will perform a procedure known as scaling and planing, which is a deep cleaning of your gum pockets. During the deep cleaning, we will remove any infected tissue to ensure that the progression is stopped in its tracks.
Managing Your Gum Health
To maintain their best gum health, patients should schedule routine preventative care appointments at our Gaithersburg, MD dentist office. During these preventative care appointments, our skilled team members will clean your teeth and perform a thorough periodontal screening. By maintaining a strict preventative care schedule, you reduce your risk of allowing plaque and tartar to fester on your teeth and cause dental health problems.
Additionally, patients should reconsider their diets if suffering from frequent symptoms of gum disease. By avoiding chewy foods like candies and potato chips, or sugary beverages like soda, you can help prevent the residue left behind on your smile after meals. Drinking water during and after meals also helps to reduce bacteria in the mouth and on tooth surfaces.
Brushing and flossing on a regular basis will also help reduce your chances of gum disease progression. Patients should brush and floss their teeth twice a day; once in the morning, and once at night.
Schedule An Appointment
Are you experiencing the signs and symptoms of gum disease? If so, schedule an appointment online today. We look forward to helping you restore your gum health soon.