Gum Disease Treatments in Blue Island

Gum Disease Treatments in Blue Island, Illinois

Gum disease, medically known as “periodontitis,” is a persistent infection of the gums that can lead to tooth loss as well as damage to the soft tissues and jawbone. Gum disease is preventable, but fairly common. The ways to prevent gum disease are to brush twice per day, floss daily, and attend regular checkups with your dentist.

Bright Smile Family Dental offers preventive treatments that can help you avoid gum disease. Treatments to help you manage periodontal disease are also available.

For a consultation on gum disease treatments in Blue Island, Illinois, call Bright Smile Family Dental today.

What are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?

As gum disease can affect virtually every aspect of your oral health, it can reveal itself in a variety of ways. The symptoms of gum disease can include one or more of the following:

• Red, discolored gums
• Puffy, swollen gums
• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Bleeding after brushing or flossing
• Gum tenderness when touched
• Pus along gumline
• Tooth loss and/or loose teeth
• Tooth pain when chewing
• Changes in bite (how teeth come together)
• Receding gums

If you experience any of the previously mentioned symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss and loss of jawbone density, which can give the lower portion of your face a prematurely aged appearance.

Causes of Gum Disease and Periodontitis

You often hear dentists emphasize the importance of removing plaque — and for a couple of great reasons. Dental plaques are made up of biofilms, which contain a variety of bacteria and other microorganisms. Plaque is most noticeable when you first awake. It is that sticky film that coats the teeth. The reason dentists emphasize brushing twice a day and flossing at least once per day is that plaque can form into tartar (calculus) in as little as 48 hours. Tartar bonds so tightly to the tooth surface that specialized dental tools are required to remove it.

Almost always, gum disease starts with the presence of plaque and tartar, which in turn leads to gingivitis. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums caused by irritation in presence of plaque toxins. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to gum disease, which then begins to affect the periodontal ligaments, bone, and soft tissues that hold the teeth in place.

Gum Disease Treatments

Successfully treating and managing gum disease and periodontitis requires regular visits with your dentist as well as a disciplined oral health routine at home. Dentists have several ways to treat gum disease and this often involves a multi-faceted approach.

In its earliest stages, gum disease can be treated with non-surgical treatments. These can include any of the following:

• Root planing. Root planing mechanically removes plaque and tartar buildup below the gumline. Creating a clean, smooth surface on the tooth encourages the reattachment of periodontal ligaments, fibrin, and other soft tissues.
• Periodontal scaling. The goal of periodontal scaling is to remove plaque and tartar buildup from the surface of the tooth crown. This helps eliminate the sources of toxins that contribute to gingivitis, gum disease, and periodontal disease.
• Antibiotics. In addition to scaling and root planing, your dentist may prescribe topical or oral antibiotics.

Surgeries for Periodontal Disease

There are numerous surgical approaches a dentist can take to limit the effects of periodontal disease. These can include:

• Gingivectomy. Gingivectomy is one of the oldest gum disease procedures still in use today. In a gingivectomy procedure, a portion of the gum tissue along the gumline is removed using either a scalpel or, more commonly, an ablative laser. The goal is to remove diseased gum tissue and make it easier to access and clean tooth surfaces below the gumline.
• Pocket reduction surgery. In pocket reduction surgery, sometimes called “flap surgery,” the dentist incises portions of the gum tissue in order to scale the tooth roots and recontour the underlying bone tissue. Once these are completed, the gums are sutured and left to heal.

In addition to these surgeries, the physician may recommend guided tissue regeneration and/or bone grafting.

How to Prevent Gum Disease

Gum disease and periodontal disease can be prevented so long as you are diligent in maintaining your oral health. By following these tasks, you can help prevent gum disease:

• Brush your teeth twice a day
• Floss once per day
• Limit sugary foods and drinks
• Do not snack between meals
• Maintain regular dental appointments

Have a Question?

Have a question for Dr. Ata about gum disease and how to prevent it? Call us to schedule a checkup today!