Understanding Gum Disease: Symptoms and Treatment Options
Since gum disease doesn’t cause pain during the early stages, many patients are likely to wish away the symptoms. Unfortunately, that’s where you fall into the trap of periodontal disease. Gum disease is a “silent killer.” If left untreated, it can cause chronic bad breath, gum deterioration, tooth loss, and put you at risk of other health complications such as heart disease and stroke.
Since gum disease is asymptomatic, attending regular dental exams for early detection and treatment is crucial. At Southern Pine Dental in Dothan, Alabama, Dr. Durwood Nowell provides comprehensive services to prevent, diagnose, and treat gum disease.
How gum disease develops and its symptoms
Gum disease develops when you don’t brush or floss your teeth effectively. Poor oral hygiene causes the accumulation of plaque and tartar that encourage bacteria to grow along the gum line. Once there, bacteria cause pockets to develop around the teeth, resulting in gum recession.
Gum disease develops in stages. The early form of periodontal disease is gingivitis. During this stage, the infection is just on the gum surface. Common symptoms of gingivitis include bleeding when brushing and swollen and red gums.
If gingivitis isn’t treated, it advances to periodontitis. The infection has torn through the gums into the teeth-supporting bone at this stage. Patients with periodontitis may experience symptoms like:
- Gum recession
- Loose teeth
- Chronic bad breath
- Fallen out teeth
If you suspect gum disease, don’t take it lightly. Instead, please book an appointment with Dr. Nowell for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Gum therapy for a stronger, healthier smile
Often, gum disease doesn’t require invasive treatments to eliminate the infection. Dr. Nowell uses the following conservative methods to treat gum infection.
- Oral hygiene care: Gingivitis is reversible when detected early. Your dentist simply advises you to brush and floss your teeth diligently. Additionally, we may recommend mouthwash to keep your infection under control.
- Deep teeth cleaning: Scaling and root planing can eliminate mild to moderate gum disease. One of our top dental hygienists removes calculus buildup below and beneath the gum line. We then smoothen your tooth roots to avoid the reattachment of bacteria in the future.
- Antibiotic therapy: Since bacteria cause gum infection, your dentist may recommend topical or oral antibiotics to eliminate the root cause of your problem.
If you have advanced gum disease, our dental team will recommend advanced treatments to restore your gum health. We will guide you every step of the way to ensure you recover your healthy gums.
Gum disease treatment near me
You may need periodontal treatment if you have bleeding gums, inexplicable bad breath, or loose teeth. If you are in Dothan, AL, and its environs, please dial (334) 794-0348 to schedule an appointment withSouthern Pine Dentalto help you win the battle against gum disease.
