Gum Disease Treatment – Richardson
Protecting Your Smile from Infection
Gum disease often starts with mild symptoms such as swelling and gums that bleed easily. Without treatment, your condition will grow more severe and eventually reach the point where it could lead to tooth loss or contribute to heart problems and other dangerous health issues. Here at Jupiter Family Dental of Richardson, our team can help you keep gum disease under control, so it doesn’t put the rest of your mouth and body at risk. Call us to schedule your appointment for gum disease treatment in Richardson.
What Choose Jupiter Family Dental of Richardson for Gum Disease Treatment?
- Thorough, Gentle Deep Cleaning
- Friendly, Understanding Dentist
- Modern, Comfortable Dental Office
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is an infection of the gums and supportive tissue in the mouth. A lot of the time, it is a result of plaque and tartar buildup due to poor oral hygiene. This can result in permanent gum damage, tooth loss, and other serious health problems. There are two stages of gum disease. Here’s what they consist of.
- Gingivitis: This is the earliest stage of gum disease. It can usually be reversed by improving your dental hygiene routine at home and seeing your dentist for professional cleanings and exams.
- Periodontitis: This is the more advanced stage of gum disease. At this point, it can’t be cured – only managed. Management is necessary to prevent further infections and serious complications – like tooth loss.
Many factors affect your risk of developing gum disease. The most common ones include smoking, chewing tobacco, poor oral hygiene, genetic factors, immune-compromising conditions, medication, and hormonal changes, like pregnancy.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Gum disease is incredibly common, so it is important to always be on the lookout for symptoms. Here are some of the most notable ones.
Gingivitis:
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- Bleeding when brushing and flossing
- Red, inflamed gum disease
- Gum tenderness
- Recession of the gums
Periodontitis:
- Pain when chewing
- Loose teeth
- Sensitive teeth
- Bite changes
- Tooth loss
How Do We Treat Gum Disease?
Depending on the severity of your gum disease, we might recommend the following treatment option.
Scaling & Root Planing
The plaque and tartar causing gum disease often extend past the gumline where you can’t reach it with a toothbrush or dental floss. That’s why we need to perform a deep cleaning that consists of scaling and root planing. Scaling is the process of actually removing plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums. Meanwhile, root planing is where we smooth out the roots of your teeth, making it easier for them to reattach to the gums later.
