Gum Treatment in Granger

How Does the ADA Define Gum Disease?

The American Dental Association states that gum disease is an infection present in the tissues supporting the teeth. For people with gum disease, this means that seeing a dentist at the first sign of gum disease symptoms is essential for a gum disease cure. More adults lose teeth due to gum disease than for any other reason. While it’s a common disease, it’s not inevitable. Visiting a dentist regularly for oral exams and teeth cleanings, along with good dental hygiene, can help to prevent the disease. Quitting tobacco use can also lower a person's risk of developing gum disease.

How Do Gingivitis Symptoms Develop?

Plaque buildup is the main reason people develop gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease. Gingivitis is gum inflammation caused by plaque that’s allowed to stay on teeth where they meet the gums. Poor oral care and a lack of regular professional teeth cleanings is usually to blame. Only a dentist or dental hygienist can remove tartar, or hardened plaque, which further irritates the gums as new plaque sticks to the tartar. Smoking, hormonal changes and hereditary factors can increase your risk of developing gingivitis.

What Are Early Gingivitis Symptoms?

Signs of gingivitis, which may or may not be apparent right away, include:

• Puffy gums
• Gum color darkens from pink to red
• Tender gums
• Gums that bleed when you brush or floss

There is a gingivitis cure available so you don't have to live with the symptoms. Please contact us if you suspect you need gingivitis treatment.

What Are the Signs of Gum Disease That I Should Watch For?

Untreated gingivitis can turn into periodontitis and you may notice these gum disease symptoms:

• Loose teeth
• Pus between your teeth at the gumline
• A foul taste in your mouth
• Bite changes

If your gums bleed only when you brush your teeth or floss, this is one of the common signs of gingivitis. If your gums start bleeding for no reason, the disease may be advancing. Please contact our office for an appointment and start your treatment for gum disease in Granger.

Gum Disease Stages

1. Gingivitis: When you have plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth at the gumline, it can irritate your gum tissue. If you have mild gingivitis symptoms, treatment is easy and effective. You don't want to ignore the signs of gingivitis because left untreated, gingivitis can progress and turn into periodontitis, the next stage of gum disease.
2. Periodontitis: Periodontitis may be the next stage if you don’t seek gingivitis treatment. It’s characterized by periodontal pockets that form between your teeth and gums. These pockets get bigger as the gum pulls away from the tooth. The pockets allow bacteria to get under the gums where they eat away at the tissue and bone that support the teeth.
3. Advanced Periodontitis: Advanced periodontal disease creates even more bone and tissue loss to the point where your teeth become loose. Without treatment for severe gum disease, you will lose teeth. Please call us no matter what stage of gum disease you have. Periodontal disease is the main reason that people over the age of 30 lose teeth, so we take gum disease treatment very seriously.

Is Gingivitis Curable?

Yes, dentists can provide a gingivitis cure. A dental hygienist will professionally clean your teeth to remove plaque and tartar which are irritating your gums. The hygienist or your dentist will go over techniques you can use at home to keep plaque away from your gumline. The gingivitis cure from a dentist is typically effective, but if you try gingivitis treatment at home, you likely won’t have the same positive results.

What Is the Treatment Like for Periodontitis?

We treat periodontitis with a scaling and root planing procedure, also called a deep cleaning, which cleans out the bacteria from the periodontal pockets. You'll also receive medication to control the infection. If you have severe periodontitis, your dentist may suggest flap surgery, which reduces periodontal pockets so you can maintain good oral health at home. The dentist might also suggest grafts to replace lost gum tissue and bone. Please call us to make an appointment so our dentist can develop a gum disease treatment plan based on your unique situation.

Is There Treatment for Reversing Gum Disease?

Gingivitis always precedes both forms of periodontitis, but gingivitis doesn’t always turn into periodontitis. Fortunately, reversing gum disease is possible since there is a gingivitis cure. We can control periodontitis with treatment, but we can’t cure it.

For high-quality treatment for gum disease in Granger, please contact our office. We’ll arrange an appointment for you with a dentist who’s skilled in the treatment of periodontal disease.