Gum disease is an infection of the gums that when left untreated can lead to deterioration of the jaw and severe tooth loss. At Think Oral Implants and Periodontics Group in Paoli, PA, our dental team treats patients with different stages of periodontal disease. After a dental exam, we can help you determine if you have gingivitis or another periodontal disease stage. Gingivitis is the only periodontal disease stage that is completely reversible. We will create a custom treatment plan that helps you improve your oral health and resolve any symptoms you’re experiencing.
Periodontal disease symptoms
Gum disease can be silent in that there aren’t always any warning signs until it advances to a later stage that isn’t reversible. This makes it important to schedule annual dental exams and biannual dental cleanings, so our dental team can diagnose gum disease before it becomes serious.
Some common signs of gum disease include:
- Bleeding gums, especially when you’re brushing or flossing
- Red, tender, or swollen gums
- Receding gums
- Bad breath
- Changes with your bite
When you suspect you have gum disease, we offer different gum disease treatments to help resolve your symptoms.
What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis is the first and only stage in which periodontal disease is reversible. This is because the bones haven’t begun to be attacked yet. Bleeding or swollen gums are some of the first noticeable symptoms experienced by someone with gingivitis. An efficient at-home oral hygiene routine along with regular dental exams and cleanings can help treat and reverse gingivitis.
Causes of gum disease
There are many causes of gum disease, including:
- Diet: The foods you eat affect your oral health. When you eat a high-sugar or acid diet, you dramatically increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
- Genetics: For patients with a family history of gum disease, they are more susceptible to developing it even when they care for their teeth and gums well.
- Hormonal changes: Hormonal fluctuations during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause make your gums more sensitive. This makes you more likely to develop gum disease.
- Poor oral hygiene: When you don’t brush or floss correctly, plaque will turn to tartar. This buildup can only be properly removed at a teeth cleaning at Think Oral Implants & Periodontics.
How to determine gum disease stage
Our periodontist uses digital x-rays to look for any signs that you have damage to your jaw from periodontal disease. This helps us to determine which periodontal gum disease treatment will suit you best. Treating gum disease early minimizes your risk of further damage. It also decreases your need for gum surgery in the future. The goal of periodontal treatment is to restore gum health. Scaling and root planing is used in mild cases of periodontal disease, while bone grafting or dental implants may be necessary for more severe cases.
Learn more about periodontal disease treatment
When you leave your gum disease untreated, it will negatively impact your health. At Think Oral Implants and Periodontics, our periodontist, Dr. Ting, offers periodontal disease treatments that helps you resolve your oral health. For more information on periodontal disease treatment and to schedule an appointment, call 610-550-3333. We serve patients in Paoli, Malvern, Berwyn, and the surrounding Pennsylvania communities with advanced periodontal procedures and dental implant treatments.