With over 50 percent of all American adults suffering from some degree of periodontal disease, this chronic disorder is quite common and rampant. Most commonly caused by poor oral hygiene, gum disease is highly treatable if caught early. However, once it progresses to a more advanced stage of this illness, it can no longer be reversed. Instead, it must be managed to prevent worsening of the symptoms.
When we here at Cane Bay Family Dentistry meet a patient who has gum disease, one of the treatment options that we like to introduce them to is called periodontal care. This approach to treating gum disease can help ensure a good prognosis for patients with gum disease, helping them to avoid some of the more dangerous complications of this illness.
There are two main types of gum disease. Early-stage gum disease is known as gingivitis and, while it is still at this stage, can be cured. Signs of gingivitis include red and swollen gums, blood in your mouth after you brush and floss your teeth, bad breath (also known as halitosis), and receding gums.
Many patients are surprised to learn that pain is not a symptom of gum disease, as this condition can be quite painless. Do not let the absence of pain lead you into falsely believing that you do not have gum disease! You can treat gum disease with a good oral hygiene regimen. Brush your teeth twice per day, for two minutes each session, and floss them at least once per day.
Advanced stage gum disease is called periodontitis. At this point, it cannot be cured. Signs of periodontitis can be puffy and red gums, blood along your gumline or when you brush and floss, severe gum recession, gaps and spaces that form between your teeth, and finally, tooth loss. Because advanced gum disease cannot be cured, you will need to schedule regular appointments with us for special treatment to help manage it.
If we determine that you have periodontitis, you have several treatment options that you can use to help address it. One of the more popular treatments for periodontitis is called scaling and root planing. This is a non-surgical treatment that includes us removing all of the hardened calculus from your teeth and tooth roots.
During a scaling and root planing, we will start by scaling your teeth, which includes removing the buildup. Next, we will perform a root planing. This process includes removing all of the buildups from underneath your tooth roots. Then we smooth the tooth roots. By doing this, we are combatting the disease in two ways. First, we are removing the buildup and making it harder to reform. Secondly, by smoothing your tooth roots, it makes it easier for your gums to reattach.
Other treatments for periodontal disease include antibiotic treatment to help treat the actual infection itself. For more advanced gum disease, surgery may be necessary. We will discuss your options with you during your appointment with us.
If you suspect that you may be one of the millions of Americans who suffer from periodontal disease and you are ready to set up an appointment with us here at Cane Bay Family Dentistry, please give us a call today at (843) 352-4454!
