Are you suffering from gum disease?
Gum disease is an extremely common dental concern. As your trusted dentist in Alpharetta and Roswell, GA, Dr. Hedlund is here to help you take back control of your gum health. Infections in your gums can lead to damaging issues to your overall health. Additionally, infected gums eventually lead to tooth loss if left untreated.
Our restorative dentistry services offer comprehensive and compassionate periodontal disease treatment in Alpharetta, GA, for patients with any stage of gum disease.
The Stages of Periodontal Disease
There are different stages of gum disease, each with varying degrees of severity. The main stages of gum disease are gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. Learn the signs and symptoms so you will know when to seek treatment and prevent the progression of this oral disease.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the mildest form and first stage of gum disease. This stage is characterized by inflamed, sore, and swollen gums. Your gums may bleed easily when brushing or flossing. Gingivitis typically develops due to poor oral hygiene, which allows plaque to build up along the gumline.
Your Esthetic Dental Solutions dentist can reverse it with treatment, including professional dental cleaning. You can also help reverse gingivitis with proper oral care, including regular brushing and flossing.
Periodontitis
If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. This stage of gum disease is a more serious form of the disease. In periodontitis, the inflammation spreads below the gumline and forms pockets between the teeth and gums. Bacteria can build up in these deep gum pockets, leading to infection and damage to the tooth-supporting structures. Symptoms of periodontitis can include receding gums, bad breath, and loose teeth.
Advanced Periodontitis
The supporting structures around your teeth, including tissue and bone, are severely damaged in advanced periodontitis. This stage of the disease can lead to tooth loss and may require more intense treatments.
Your dentist will likely suggest scaling and root planing, and intensive teeth and gum cleaning. You may also require gum grafts or even surgery to restore oral health.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease
Early detection and treatment of gum disease are vital to preserving your dental health. With treatment, we can help you prevent more serious oral health issues, such as tooth loss and bone deterioration. The following are common signs that you may have this oral disease. You should be aware of these to know if and when you should reach out to your dentist for treatment. Gum disease shows up as a variety of symptoms, including:
- Inflamed red or purplish gums
- Bleeding gums (gingivitis)
- Bad breath
- Receding gums
- Pockets around teeth
- Loose teeth
Periodontal Disease Treatment in Alpharetta, GA
Gum disease begins as a layer of sticky plaque that hardens into tartar around your gum line. Once this plaque becomes tartar, a trained dentist like Dr. Hedlund must professionally remove it. If the tartar is not removed, you may need more invasive treatment to help restore the health of your gums.
If you have gum disease, there are a few treatment options you can consider. One option is to get a professional cleaning from Dr. Hedlund. A professional teeth cleaning is the most appropriate treatment if you have gingivitis. A good tooth cleaning helps to remove plaque and tartar that can cause gum disease.
We may also suggest that you use a special mouthwash to help kill bacteria. Mouthwashes for treating gum disease have ingredients like chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride.
In more severe cases, you may need a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing. Sometimes, surgery may be necessary to treat advanced gum disease.
No matter what stage of gum disease or the type of treatment you need, you must improve your dental health routine at home by brushing and flossing daily. During your dental appointments, Dr. Hedlund will determine the best treatment options that are right for you.
What is scaling and root planing?
Scaling and root planing is an in-depth cleaning of your gum line to clear it of bacteria and infection. Once Dr. Hedlund cleans the affected area and smooths out the tooth roots, the gums can reattach back to the teeth. This shortens the depths of the pockets around the teeth, and reduces the risk of future infection.
Periodontal Therapy FAQs
Here are our most frequently asked questions regarding gum disease treatment.
Can gum disease be cured?
No. Gum disease is not curable, but your dentist can manage the symptoms. Our office helps patients manage their gum disease through periodontal maintenance routines. Periodontal maintenance is a routine in-office deep cleaning scheduled every 3-4 months, after completion of gum disease therapy.
At these appointments, your dentist will clear the gum line of any buildup and scan for signs of returning inflammation. By keeping up with this routine, we can help you manage your gum disease and achieve the longevity of a healthy, happy smile.
Is gum disease common?
Periodontal disease affects about 47% of patients above 30. As you age these statistics increase. Patients over the age of 65 have a 72% chance of developing periodontal disease.
What happens if you leave periodontal disease untreated?
If you don’t get treatment for periodontitis, it could result in gaps in your teeth, receding gums, sensitive teeth, chronic foul breath, and tooth loss. Diabetes, heart disease, and stroke are other health conditions that have links to gum disease.
How long does it take to recover from periodontal disease?
As long as you follow your doctor’s instructions and brush and floss regularly, you should be able to heal and recover from gingivitis, within 14 days of your deep cleaning. As gum disease progresses into further stages, your dentist may extend the healing time up to a couple of months or longer.
Schedule an Appointment for Gum Disease Treatment in Alpharetta, GA
Our goal with periodontal disease treatment is to evaluate the state of your gum disease, clear your mouth of the infection, and get you back on the path to long-term dental health. If you suspect you are showing symptoms of gum disease, please schedule an appointment online.