Gum disease is an extremely common dental concern that Dr. Khanna treats at Bethesda, MD family smiles. When gum disease occurs, this means that bacteria are eating away at your soft tissues and causing dental damage. Patients of all ages can be affected by gum disease. It’s important to visit your local dentist if you suspect you are experiencing the signs and symptoms of gum disease. Dr. Khanna can provide you with effective gum disease treatment in Bethesda, MD to get your oral health back on track.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, develops when plaque buildups on the teeth and gums. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria constantly forming in your mouth. When you fail to remove plaque with daily teeth brushing and flossing, it hardens into tartar. Tartar is a hard substance that only a well-trained dental professional can remove safely.
Bacteria in plaque and tartar are filled with toxins that irritate and inflame gum tissue. This slow progression of inflammation is what eventually leads to gingivitis.
Gingivitis: The Initial Stage of Periodontal Disease
Gingivitis is a condition that represents the initial stage of gum disease. The accumulation of plaque is how the condition develops. Symptoms of gingivitis include inflammation of the gingiva, the gum tissue surrounding the base of the teeth. Bleeding gums is another common sign of the initial phase of gum disease. You may have gingivitis if your gums bleed frequently, especially when you brush or floss. Other symptoms may include redness, swelling, and tenderness of the gums.
Dentists consider gingivitis a mild form of gum disease. While it does not lead to irreversible damage to your oral health, you should never ignore the signs. Fast and effective treatment will resolve gingivitis and lead you towards optimal oral health.
Without treatment, gingivitis will progress into a more severe form of the disease known as periodontal disease. Periodontal disease can harm your oral health, leading to loose teeth, gum recession, tooth loss, bone loss, and other severe health conditions.
Gum Disease Treatment Bethesda, MD
It is vital to treat your gum disease when you receive a diagnosis. Effective treatment will prevent gingivitis or mild periodontitis from progressing into a much larger issue. Scaling and root planing are effective periodontal disease treatment treatments at Bethesda Family Smiles.
Once your disease progresses, major dental work is likely, including laser surgery, gum grafts, bone grafts, and tooth replacement. We will refer you to a periodontist for the advanced stages of periodontitis for further treatment.
Scaling and Root Planing
This non-surgical gum disease treatment aims to remove plaque and tartar buildup and heal the gum tissues. It has two steps: scaling and then root planing.
Scaling removes plaque and tartar deposits on the teeth’ surfaces, especially below the gum line. Root planing then smooths out the roots to prevent future bacteria from building up. This dual treatment will halt the progression of periodontal disease.
Scaling and root planing treatment is the only way to reduce inflammation, allow gums to heal, and promote healthy tissue regeneration. Once Dr. Khanna completes the treatment, you must maintain proper oral hygiene to restore optimal oral health.
Regular follow-ups and good oral hygiene practices are essential to maintain the benefits achieved through scaling and root planing.
Periodontal Disease Treatment FAQs
Dr. Khanna restores smiles following gum disease progression with periodontal disease treatment plans. Below are answers to frequently asked questions regarding gum disease and treatment options.
How do I prevent gum disease progression?
The best way to prevent gum disease progression is to schedule routine preventative care appointments with your local dentist once every six months. Our dental professionals will provide thorough dental cleaning during our preventative care appointments to remove any buildup surrounding your gum line. If this buildup is allowed to remain on your gum line for too long, you will begin to notice the signs and symptoms of gum disease. This is why we highly suggest patients stay on top of scheduling their routine dental care.
What are the symptoms of gum disease?
Gum disease usually begins with mild gum bleeding, also known as gingivitis. As gum disease progresses, you may notice many other symptoms, including inflamed gums, increased tooth sensitivity, receding gum lines, bad breath, and even tooth loss. Addressing gum disease early is important to avoid these more severe symptoms.
How do you treat gum disease?
Periodontists treat gum disease by cleaning away any bacteria along your gum line. If allowed to remain on your dental structures, this bacteria will eat away at your healthy soft tissues and cause an infection. For severe cases of gum disease, we may need to provide a deep cleaning of the pockets of your gums to remove deep bacteria.
Are bleeding gums a dental emergency?
If you notice a small amount of blood in the sink following brushing or flossing, this is not necessarily a dental emergency but rather a sign that you must be more attentive to your oral hygiene and schedule your next dental cleaning as soon as possible. If the bleeding continues or becomes excessive, dental professionals consider this a dental emergency, and we would recommend contacting our office directly for further instruction.
What will happen if I do not treat my gum disease?
If you do not treat gum disease, it can lead to tooth loss and other health problems. In the early stages of gum disease, called gingivitis, the gums may become red, swollen, and bleed easily. Gingivitis can lead to periodontitis – a more serious form of gum disease that can cause tooth loss. Doctors also link gum disease to other health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory diseases. It is important to seek treatment for gum disease as soon as possible. Please contact our dentist office in Bethesda, MD to seek periodontal disease treatment to reduce your risk of severe oral health issues.
What should I avoid if I have gum disease?
If you have gum disease, you should avoid eating sugary foods and drinks and smoking. These are some of the worst things you can do for your dental health. It will only make your gum disease worse. You should also avoid drinking acidic beverages such as soda or fruit juice. Acidic drinks can damage your teeth and gums, increasing your risk of developing gum disease. Instead, drink plenty of water to help keep your mouth healthy.