Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease or periodontitis, destroys the tissues surrounding your teeth. It is a disease that usually starts slowly as the bacteria that causes gum disease builds up inside your mouth. Gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums, is a precursor of gum disease. If you have gingivitis, your gums may be irritated and easily bleed when you brush and floss. If left untreated, gingivitis can worsen and become periodontitis. As your gum tissues deteriorate, your teeth can loosen and even fall out. This serious condition could lead to more complications in your body. Gum disease should not be ignored.
The primary cause of gum disease is plaque. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that covers your teeth. If it is not removed, it can harden into tartar, which acts as a protective shield for the bacteria along your gumline. The bacteria may irritate your gums, cause gingivitis, and eventually cause gum disease. Plaque and tartar are removed when you go to the dentist for a professional cleaning, which is why your routine dental checkups are your top defense in gum disease prevention.
The signs and symptoms of gum disease can be subtle, meaning you might not even think about them if you notice them. Even in the later stages of gum disease, it is possible that you don’t feel any pain. Educating yourself about these subtle symptoms will help you notice the small changes that occur as the disease sets in.
Let your dentist know if you notice any of these symptoms, even if they are only in one area in your mouth. Your dentist in Omaha is trained to know the difference between healthy and unhealthy gums that require treatment.
If you have gum disease and you do not get it treated, you could experience more issues, including:
These are serious complications. If you have any symptoms of gum disease, we strongly encourage you to seek treatment at Today’s Dental in Omaha. Gum disease is treatable and can be reversed.
Patients at Today’s Dental in Omaha enjoy our dedication to giving them a healthy smile that will last for years. We accurately diagnose your misalignment problems and give you a clear explanation of the treatment options that are available to you, including costs. If you don’t have dental insurance that will cover the costs of your treatments, check out the various financing options we offer to all our valued patients.
A professional teeth cleaning is more of a preventative treatment than a treatment to fight active gum disease. Everyone can benefit from a professional cleaning, which involves the removal of plaque and tartar. If you have symptoms of gum disease or are at risk for gum disease, your dentist may recommend coming in more than twice a year for a professional cleaning.
If the dentist believes you have plaque and tartar buildup under your gum line, you will probably need a deep cleaning treatment that involves scaling and root planing. During this process, the plaque and tartar are removed through scaling, and your teeth’ roots are smoothed down, eliminating bacteria that may have accumulated there. Scaling and root planing can be uncomfortable, which is why it is usually performed when your mouth has been numbed with an anesthetic.
Antibiotic treatments can reduce the bacteria that are causing your gum disease. Your dentist could prescribe an antibiotic without additional treatments or surgical treatment.
This surgical procedure allows the dentist to remove tartar below the gum line and smooth down the surfaces of your damaged bone. Your gums are lifted back to reveal the roots of your teeth and the bone underneath. When the cleaning has been accomplished, the dentist will fit your gums back around your teeth, removing any pockets that may have been harboring the bacteria that cause gum disease.
If much of your bone has been damaged due to gum disease, we can perform a bone grafting surgery, replacing the destroyed bone with fragments of your own or synthetic bone. When healthy, your natural bone should regrow around the graft and provide a stable structure to hold your teeth.
Not every case of gum disease requires surgical treatment. In less severe cases, you may be able to prevent gum disease from worsening by improving your oral hygiene habits, using a soft-bristle toothbrush, limiting your sugar intake, quitting all tobacco use, and keeping regular dental checkup appointments. You can also try rinsing your mouth with a warm salt water rinse to treat some gum disease symptoms.
Absolutely, yes! In fact, it is recommended for pregnant women to visit the dentist for a check-up during pregnancy. Pregnancy hormones can make you more prone to gum disease. Low birth weight and pre-term labor have been associated with gum disease.
Early stages of gum disease, known as gingivitis, can be successfully treated with guidance from your dentist. However, once gum disease has become more advanced, it becomes much more difficult (and expensive) to effectively treat.
The most common cause of gum disease is poor oral hygiene – or improper care and cleaning of your teeth. A sticky substance known as “plaque” builds up on your teeth and harbors bacteria that cause harmful inflammation in your gum tissue, which may result in bleeding. Without treatment, gum disease progresses and can cause many serious problems with your mouth and can even affect the bones of your jaw. Gum disease can also develop because of other factors like smoking, age, hormones, certain medical conditions and medications, your genetics, and other causes related to your personal dental and medical history.
Most often if you have bleeding in your gums, it is from inflammation and gum disease caused by bacteria buildup. If you have trauma to your mouth or have been too rough with brushing or flossing, you can cause injury to your gums that may also result in bleeding.
If you believe you may have gum disease in any of its stages, you should book an appointment at Today’s Dental. We will properly assess your gum situation and provide appropriate treatment immediately.
Our dentists and professional staff at Today’s Dental have been trained to recognize gum disease and gingivitis. We care about your gums’ health and will do whatever we can to prevent the condition from worsening. Our effective gum disease treatments not only care for your teeth and gums, but also help improve the health of your entire body. Count on the dental professionals at Today’s Dental to diagnose your gum disease and provide treatment options to improve it.
“Going to the dentist during a pandemic felt a little crazy–but I was long overdue and my gums were very sensitive. I was very pleasantly surprised with the care they have put in for safety measures. They even had photos of them so I knew what they actually looked like behind the protective gear which was a nice touch! Overall, it was a great experience. They were extremely nice and accommodating, my teeth and gums feel great now, and the entire time I felt extremely safe!”
“Great hygienist. Very efficient, pleasant, and did a great job cleaning my teeth. She did explain everything she was doing and gave me great things to do to help with my gum recession and refraction.”
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