Gums form the backbone of every healthy smile. Your gums support your teeth, and nourish them, keeping them strong. Unfortunately, many peoples’ gums are not getting the attention that they deserve. Millions of Americans have gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease. If left unchecked, gingivitis can become periodontitis, which can lead to irreversible damage to your gums.
That’s why visiting your dentist for frequent checkups and gum treatment is vital to your oral health. Schedule your next checkup with Dental by Design today to check the condition of your gums!
Why Should I Visit Dental by Design for Gingivitis and Periodontitis Treatment?
At Dental by Design, we are here to help make your gums healthy. Regardless of the condition of your gums, there are multiple resources for us to help address periodontal disease. With procedures like scaling and root planing, LANAP, and other forms of gum therapy we can build a foundation of gum health that is vital for your oral and overall health.
What Are the Dangers of Not Treating My Gum Disease?
Like other oral health issues, gum disease develops over a period of time. Every time that you eat and drink, bacteria mix with the things that you consume and create plaque. Plaque is a sticky substance that coats your teeth. Proper oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing help clean your teeth, removing the plaque that has accrued.
When plaque is not removed, it will gradually begin to eat away at your teeth and gum line:
- This provokes an inflammatory response.
- Typically, your gums will bleed or feel sensitive.
- At this stage, your gums are likely experiencing symptoms of gingivitis.
As gingivitis progresses, plaque can harden and turn into tartar and calculus.
- During this stage of gum disease, your gum line will start to recede and your teeth will start to loosen.
- This occurs due to unhealthy gums not holding your teeth firmly in place.
- When this happens, your teeth might need to be extracted or they could fall out on their own if left untreated for too long.
Your key takeaway: the earlier that we can help your gums, the easier it will be to reverse the damage that has been done. Give us a call. Regardless of the condition of your gums, we are here to help.
Why Do I Have Such Bad Breath?
A key symptom of periodontitis is bad breath created by bacterial build-up. When plaque-causing bacteria is left untreated, it eats away at your teeth and emits sulfur-producing compounds. If your bad breath is a result of periodontal disease, it can be reversed with proper gum treatment.
What Causes Gum Disease And Periodontal Disease?
The causes of periodontal disease vary between patients, but typically the underlying factor is poor oral hygiene. A lack of proper brushing and flossing enables plaque to accrue on your teeth and gums. This results in an inflammatory response of your gums. If left untreated, the plaque can harden into calculus, which can erode your gum line and cause permanent damage to your teeth.
Gum Disease Treatment at Our Dentist Office
We use advanced dental technology to help treat periodontal disease. The specific resources that we use depend on your unique circumstances.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a deep-cleaning technique that we use to remove plaque below your gum line. We use special tools to remove plaque from the pockets in your gums that cannot be removed by brushing. After scaling, we use root planing to help your gums reattach to your tooth roots. This entire process is completed over multiple appointments.
Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) or Laser-Assisted Periodontal Therapy (LAPT)
For advanced periodontal disease, we use a special procedure known as the Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) to remove diseased gum tissue. The use of this tool allows for precise treatment, the removal of tartar, and faster recovery times.
At-Home Gum Care
Depending on the condition of your gums, you can take action to improve your gum health at home. If we determine this to be the case during your gum examination, we will provide instructions for self-care at home.
Get Excellent Periodontal Care at Dental by Design!
If you have gum disease, there’s no reason to despair. Every day, we help patients just like you restore the health of their gums. We offer a multipronged approach that can help build a solid foundation for your oral health. Let’s get started with a gum examination. Call our office to schedule your appointment today.
