If your gums bleed when you brush or floss your teeth, you may have gingivitis or developing periodontitis. Periodontitis, or gum disease, affects many people across the country and a professional must treat it. There are multiple causes that help gum swelling develop over time into gum disease. Restorative dentistry from Mid Michigan Smiles can help treat your bleeding gums and keep advanced periodontal disease away.
Periodontal Therapy in Mount Pleasant, MI
More than half of Americans will develop gum disease in their lifetime. It is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. Our gums are what help to hold our teeth in place. Neglecting your gums can lead to bleeding, recession, and premature tooth decay.
Gum disease is a serious condition that requires immediate attention from a professional at the first sign of symptoms. Identifying and treating gum disease as early as possible can help to avoid lengthy and costly procedures. Gum disease can vary in severity and will progress if not properly treated.
Gingivitis is a common and mild form that often causes irritation, bleeding, and swollen gums. When gingivitis goes untreated, it can develop into periodontitis. Periodontitis is aggressive and often leads to tooth loss. Gum disease can increase your risk of serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
During your visit, Dr. Raymond Ribitch will carefully examine your teeth and gums to check for gum disease. Dr. Ribitch will perform a deep tooth cleaning to remove plaque and tartar from the gums. After your procedure, we may recommend antibacterial rinses or antibiotics to ensure a thorough clean. If a deep cleaning isn’t enough, Dr. Ribitch and his team will find the right solution for you.
Stages of Gum Disease
Gum disease is a serious infection that can spread quickly and cause major damage if ignored. There are four main stages of gum disease. Continue reading to learn more about each stage, symptoms, and treatment methods used as the disease progresses.
Gingivitis
The first stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis. It commonly presents itself as red, inflamed, and bleeding gums. You can reverse gingivitis through an increased oral care routine, brushing, and flossing at least twice daily. It is important to practice a good oral hygiene routine to prevent and reverse early signs of gum disease.
Mild Periodontitis
Untreated gingivitis develops into mild periodontitis. During this stage, gums begin to recede and pockets form around the gum line. These pockets house bacteria that cause infection.
Gums remain inflamed and red. For mild gum disease, we typically perform a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing. This process removes trapped plaque and bacteria from your teeth.
Moderate Periodontitis
As mild periodontitis progresses, it becomes moderate periodontitis. With moderate periodontitis, the gum disease has advanced and started to damage the gum tissue and jawbone. Patients’ teeth may begin to feel loose, and gums become increasingly irritated and inflamed. Deep cleaning and gum grafting may remove plaque and replace broken down gum tissue.
Advanced Periodontitis
The final and most severe stage of gum disease is advanced periodontitis. Once patients have reached this stage, they are at risk for potential tooth loss, gums are breaking down, and the jawbone is as well. Treatment is crucial to prevent tooth loss.
Flap surgery, gum grafting, and bone grafting are all options for treatment. This damage is permanent, but treatment can prevent it from getting worse and protect your health.
Common Causes and Symptoms of Gum Disease
There are several common causes of gum disease:
- Smoking
- Use of tobacco products
- Certain medications
- Poor oral hygiene
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes
Everyone should aim to brush and floss their teeth twice a day. Regular dental appointments can also help catch cases of gingivitis, gum swelling, and signs of periodontitis. But how do I know if I have periodontal disease?
There are multiple symptoms of gum disease. You don’t need to have all the symptoms. Even one can be a sign of the early stages of gum disease.
- Swollen gums
- Loose teeth
- Receding gums
- Bad breath
- Toothaches
- Bleeding gums
- Mouth sores
Gum Disease Treatment
Treatment for periodontal disease is tailored to the needs of each patient. Our team will carefully examine the teeth, gums, and bone structure to determine the best form of treatment to help restore your oral health.
- Scaling & Root Planing: This treatment is an extensive deep cleaning of the areas above and below the gum line. A dental hygienist uses special tools to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria from the gum line. Depending on your needs, you may need to complete this more than once to achieve the desired results.
- Antibacterial Rinse: An antibacterial rinse can often reverse early gum disease and restore your gums to heal. A dentist may prescribe a specific rinse to help improve your dental health.
- Gum Surgery: For advanced gum disease, surgery may be necessary to remove infected tissue and restore health.
- Laser Dentistry: This revolutionary treatment may eliminate the need for gum surgery. Dental lasers safely remove diseased tissue with a lower risk of infection, less bleeding, and faster healing.
Periodontal Therapy FAQs
Do you have further questions about periodontal disease therapy? Continue reading to find answers to questions frequently asked in our office.
Is periodontal therapy necessary?
Yes, periodontal therapy is essential if your gums and jawbone health are in jeopardy. Starting may be cosmetic, but gum disease leads to receding gums and possibly losing teeth. The sooner you address gum disease, the better. Early treatment helps you avoid invasive surgery and protects your long-term oral health.
How long does it take for gum disease to heal after periodontal therapy?
It all depends on the case. Antibacterial rinses can help quickly care for a mild case, while scaling and root planing require multiple sessions. If gum surgery is necessary, it takes a few weeks for everything to heal properly. Laser periodontal therapy can typically take care of it with a few short sessions, depending on the severity.
What’s the best periodontal therapy treatment?
Laser therapy has emerged as one of the best ways to treat gum disease. This approach leads to less pain, bleeding, and swelling.
It also lowers your risk of infection and helps you heal faster. It replaces scalpels and surgery requirements in severe cases, making treatment much more comfortable. It’s quicker and easier for your body to recover afterward, too.
Is periodontal therapy painful?
We make your comfort our top priority. A local anesthetic will sufficiently numb the area before treatment. If you’re getting laser periodontal therapy, you may not even need the anesthetic. Laser gum treatment is virtually pain-free, with less bleeding and swelling than other forms of treatment.
Is my bad breath because of gum disease?
Bad breath is due to a buildup of odor-causing bacteria in the mouth. If you aren’t adequately taking care of your oral health, these bacteria continue to multiply on each other. They eventually become aggressive, leading to gum disease.
If you’re finding that mouthwash and oral care don’t seem to be taking care of the odor, it may be gum disease. Call our office and schedule a checkup.
Who’s at a higher risk of gum disease?
The older you are, the more likely you are to develop gum disease. Smokers, patients who are obese, and those with poor nutrition all have higher chances of the disease, too.
Some medications and health issues can raise your risk. That’s why we always review your medical history carefully.. There are some genetic factors that may also be present.
Schedule a Dental Exam Today
Do you think that you may be developing gum disease? Call to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ribitch and his professional team at 989-772-1344. We ensure that our patients are comfortable during each step of dental treatment.