Do your gums bleed when you brush? Are your gums sensitive to cold foods and drinks? Visit the dentist to treat bleeding gums and tooth sensitivity. Oftentimes, these symptoms can eventually lead to periodontitis.
Also known as gum disease, periodontitis is a bacterial infection that can recede gum tissue.
Dr. Michael Sesi offers periodontal disease treatment to patients in Clarkston, MI. Periodontal therapy is a restorative dental treatment that can reverse the effects of harmful bacteria on the smile.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Poor oral hygiene practices primarily cause periodontal disease. Plaque, a sticky substance filled with bacteria, constantly forms on teeth. Daily brushing and flossing are the only ways to remove it. It is vital for your oral health to remove plaque because it will harden into tartar. Tartar is tough to remove and requires a professional to do so.
Plaque and tartar will lead to irritation of the gums. Eventually, this leads to gum disease. However, several risk factors will increase your risk of developing this oral disease. Patients who smoke or take certain medications are at a higher risk. Also, women who go through any hormonal changes are at a higher risk of gum disease. Lastly, genetics, any disease that affects the immune system, and diabetes can all significantly increase your risk of developing periodontal disease.
Stages of Periodontal Disease
Gum disease is a progressive disease that can lead to severe issues with your oral health. There are several stages of periodontal disease, each with its own set of symptoms. It is early to understand each stage so you will know when to seek help and prevent the progression. Early detection is vital to preventing severe damage. It is possible to reverse the disease if you catch it during the early stages.
Gingivitis
The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis. It is characterized by red, swollen gums that can bleed easily when brushing or flossing. Your dentist can quickly reverse gingivitis if you catch it. You and your dentist can treat the damage to your teeth and gums with proper oral hygiene and gum disease treatment.
Periodontitis
If gingivitis is not treated correctly, it will develop into the next stage of gum disease. The second stage of gum disease is periodontitis. Here, the inner layer of the gums begins to pull away from the teeth. This creates pockets that can harbor bacteria and cause infections. If you receive no treatment for your periodontitis, the pockets will deepen and collect more and more bacteria. This leads to further gum tissue damage and will even start to cause damage to the underlying bone. You are at risk for tooth loss during this stage of periodontal disease.
Advanced Periodontitis
The final stage of gum disease is called advanced periodontitis. Suppose the disease advances to this stage due to failure to seek treatment. In that case, the damage to your oral health is likely irreversible. The fibers and bone that surround and support your teeth are destroyed. Your teeth will begin to loosen and shift out of place. You are at high risk of losing your teeth. This affects your bite and your ability to eat and can lead to tooth extraction. Advanced periodontitis requires aggressive treatment to minimize the damage to your teeth and gums.
Signs of Gum Disease in Clarkston, MI
Gum disease begins as gingivitis. Also known as gum inflammation, gingivitis can develop into gum disease over time as bacteria accumulate on the gums. Common symptoms of gingivitis and gum disease can include:
- Bleeding gums
- Gum pain or sensitivity
- Red or purple-tinged gum tissue
- Swollen or puffy gums
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Receding gums
- Loose teeth
Contact our dental office if you notice any changes in your gum health. We will examine your smile and work with you to find the right treatment for your symptoms. Sometimes we can reverse early symptoms of gum disease if we catch it early.
Treating Gum Disease
Our dental hygienists offer deep cleaning treatments that fight gum disease. While a good at-home oral hygiene routine is key to preventing gum disease, regular cleanings also help remove bacteria from hard-to-reach areas. We have access to small, specialized dental tools that allow us to reach these areas and thoroughly clean the teeth and gums.
Our hygienists can perform scaling and root planing treatments to remove plaque and tartar from the mouth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that hardens to form tartar. Scaling removes plaque on and below the gums, while root planing smooths down the tooth roots.
We can also refer patients to specialists if they have severe gum recession or gum damage. During gum surgery, dentists remove infected gum tissue and can graft healthy tissue.
What can I do to prevent periodontal disease?
Gum disease can be easily prevented by taking care of your oral hygiene. Additionally, maintaining a healthy diet, visiting your dentist regularly, and seeking treatment whenever a dental concern arises will help prevent the development of this disease.
Brushing and flossing your teeth daily is a must. Everyone at any age should do this to help maintain good oral health. You should brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day at minimum. Since plaque is the main culprit, it is vital to remove it daily by brushing and flossing.
On top of that, you must visit your dentist twice a year for a regular checkup and dental cleaning. Teeth cleanings are the only way to remove all the plaque and tartar hiding in your mouth. Then, you need to eat a healthy diet that limits sugar intake. If you smoke, quitting is a must. Smoking significantly raises your risk of gum disease.
Adopting these habits will prevent the development of periodontal disease. We aim to ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy and remain strong for a lifetime.
Request a Dental Appointment
Do you have sensitive gums? Have you noticed bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth? Contact our office for treatment at 248-985-2906 or schedule your next dental visit on our website.