Gum Treatment in South Bend

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection affecting the bone and tissue that support teeth. In its earliest stage, called gingivitis, the infection is limited to the gums surrounding the teeth. The disease has few symptoms in its early stages, yet it’s essential to see a dentist regularly and get treatment if your dentist finds any signs of gingivitis. If the disease advances to moderate or severe periodontal disease, it becomes the leading reason adults lose their teeth.

How Do People Develop Gingivitis?

If you don't remove plaque from your teeth daily, especially at the gumline, it can cause gingivitis. Plaque is the sticky film that builds up on your teeth when you eat or drink. When you don't remove the plaque at least twice a day, the bacteria in the plaque multiply. The bacteria begin irritating your gums, making them red and swollen. The good news is gingivitis treatment is effective at reversing the disease.

What Are the Signs of Gingivitis?

If you have gingivitis, you may notice:

• Gums that bleed during your oral care regimen
• Red gums
• Gums that appear puffy and swollen
• Tender gums

Contact our dental office if you're experiencing gingivitis symptoms. We offer a gingivitis cure that can eliminate your symptoms.

What Are the Signs of Gum Disease?

If you have a more advanced stage of gum disease, you may notice these gum disease symptoms:

• Noticeably bad breath
• Your teeth are becoming loose
• Your bite changes
• Receding gums
• Pain when chewing
• Foul taste in your mouth

The above signs may also include signs of gingivitis. If you have any of these symptoms, please call us to schedule treatment for gum disease in South Bend. Prompt gum disease treatment can prevent tooth loss.

What Are the Gum Disease Stages?

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. Gingivitis symptoms are a warning sign for you to visit a dentist. If you practice good oral hygiene and see a dentist for gingivitis treatment, gingivitis can be reversed. A gingivitis cure will prevent potential damage to the bone, tissue and ligaments holding your teeth in place. If you wear dentures, you still need to look out for gingivitis, as plaque can also build up on artificial teeth. If your dentures suddenly make your gums hurt, call our office to schedule an exam so a dentist can determine if gingivitis is the reason for your discomfort.

Periodontitis

With periodontitis, the bacteria from gingivitis get under your gums, causing them to pull away from your teeth and creating the formation of pockets of bacteria. There isn't a gum disease cure at this stage, but the gum disease symptoms can be controlled with treatment and disease progression can be halted.

Advanced Periodontitis

Advanced periodontal disease is characterized by bone and gum degeneration. People may notice their teeth shifting or becoming loose. Eventually, the loose teeth will fall out. Treating gum disease at this stage is complicated by the deep pockets which make it difficult for patients to aid in their treatment for advanced gum disease with regular oral hygiene.

Is There a Reliable Gingivitis Cure?

There are many websites that offer what they claim is a natural gingivitis cure. However, for professional gum treatment, you need skilled oral care, so schedule a visit to our office. We’ll start you off with a professional teeth cleaning which you can't do at home. Only a dental professional can remove tartar (hardened plaque), which traps plaque on your teeth. Our dentist or dental hygienist will explain how you can properly brush and floss to keep plaque away from your gumline. Dentists can provide a highly effective treatment for stopping gingivitis symptoms.

How Do Dentists Treat Periodontitis and Advanced Periodontitis?

Our dentists can eliminate or keep gum disease under control. The goal of treatment for gum disease is always to keep it from progressing. Treatment plans will vary according to the extent of a patient's gum disease. Your dentist may recommend medication to control the infection, such as an antimicrobial mouthrinse or oral antibiotics and might also recommend a deep cleaning, also known as a scaling or root planing procedure. In advanced cases, your dentist may suggest flap surgery to clean out the periodontal pockets and make the gums fit securely against the teeth once again. Bone grafts and gum grafts are also options if periodontal disease has destroyed the support structures that hold the teeth in place.

Is Reversing Gum Disease Possible?

Reversing gum disease is possible if you have gingivitis and get professional gingivitis treatment from a dentist. Reversing periodontitis and advanced periodontitis may involve trying to halt the destruction and getting the infection under control. It's difficult to determine if treatment for gum disease will help in the long term because there are many factors that influence the outcome.

If you need to see a dentist who treats gum disease in South Bend, please contact us to make an appointment. Our dentist will tailor a treatment plan for treating your gum disease.