What is Gum Disease? Find the answer here

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a serious progressive bacterial infection in the gums and bone surrounding your teeth., If left untreated, it can lead to loss of bone and teeth, which can ultimately affect your ability to eat, speak, and smile. Recent studies also show that periodontal disease is correlated with increased risk for other chronic conditions such as stroke, heart disease, and birth complications in pregnant women.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

Per the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Health, symptoms of gum disease can include:

• Bad breath
• Red, swollen gums
• Tender or bleeding gums upon flossing
• Pain upon chewing
• Loose teeth
• Sensitive teeth
• Receding gums
• Buildup of plaque and tartar

Preventing Gum Disease

We educate patients on how to keep their teeth and gums healthy. The key to maintaining healthy gums involves a combination of proper oral hygiene regimen on a daily basis and routine cleanings at our office. We thoroughly assess your gum pocket measurements and all your individual risk factors and customize hygiene recommendations that best suit your needs.

Gum Disease Therapy

For more advanced cases of gum disease , we may recommend a non-surgical procedure called scaling and root planing (also known as “deep cleaning”). We use a powerful ultrasonic piezo scaler to gently remove stains, hardened plaque, and tartars that have progressively formed around the roots under the gum line.

We can utilize Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) to reduce inflammation and remove diseased tissue and harmful bacteria.

We can also provide the latest salivary diagnostic screening to analyze your saliva and determine any oral pathogens present as well as genetic susceptibility for gum disease.