Gum Disease Treatment
Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is an infection affecting the tissues surrounding the teeth. It is a silent, painless disease which often results in bone loss from around the teeth without any discomfort being felt. Treating gum disease promptly and effectively is important. Periodontal disease affects the majority of the adult population to varying degrees. Leaving gum disease untreated often leads to additional complex dental concerns, including tooth loss.
Our TFD team will first complete a periodontal examination, including the necessary dental X-rays, to help us determine the extent of the disease and will also help lay out your treatment plan. There are two key stages of gum disease, each of which can have a progression of symptoms.
Gingivitis:
This is the first stage of gum disease that is characterized by red, swollen or irritated gums that may bleed when brushing your teeth. It is typically caused by bacteria in the plaque that builds up around your gums. Gingivitis can usually be treated conservatively with success to avoid further infection and damage.
Periodontitis:
If gingivitis is left untreated, it will develop into periodontitis, the advanced stage of gum disease with complex symptoms including receding gums and loose teeth. In this stage of gum disease, the bacteria in the plaque cause the gums to become infected which will result in damage to the soft tissue and bone that support your teeth. We treat early stages of the disease by performing scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) below the gum line. More advanced stages may require a surgical approach if the initial scaling and root planing does not resolve the infection.
