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 must be treated by a professional. 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 suffer from some degree of gum disease in their life and it is attributed to 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 periodontal concern that should be tended to by a periodontist as soon as you start to notice warning signs. 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 has also been linked to an increased risk for developing overall health conditions as serious as strokes, heart disease, and diabetes.
Dr. Raymond Ribitch will assess your teeth and gums to determine if you have gingivitis (gum inflammation) or periodontitis (gum disease). Dr. Ribitch will perform a deep tooth cleaning to remove plaque and tartar from gums. Following the procedure, he may recommend anti-bacterial rinses and antibiotics to ensure that the teeth and gums are thoroughly cleaned. If you have chronic gum disease that doesn’t respond to deep cleaning, Dr. Ribitch, and his team will work with you to find a solution.
Stages of Gum Disease
Gum disease is an infection of the gums that can cause serious damage and progresses very quickly if left untreated. 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. Gingivitis can be reversed through an increased oral care routine and 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
If gingivitis is left untreated, it 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. Scaling and root planing are most commonly used to treat mild periodontitis, in which we deeply clean your teeth and remove trapped plaque and bacteria.
Moderate Periodontitis
As mild periodontitis progresses, it becomes moderate periodontitis. Moderate periodontitis is classified as a more advanced stage of periodontitis, in which patients’ gum tissue and jaw bone begin to deteriorate. Patients’ teeth may begin to feel loose and gums become increasingly irritated and inflamed. Deep cleaning and gum grafting may be used to remove plaque and replace deteriorated gum tissue.
Advanced Periodontitis
The final and most severe stage of gum disease is known as advanced periodontitis. Once patients have reached this stage they are at risk for potential tooth loss, gums are deteriorating, 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. At this point damage that has already occurred is irreversible, however, treatment is crucial to prevent the disease from causing further issues and health complications.
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. Patients don’t have to experience all of the symptoms, but even just one is a sign that you are in the early stages of developing the problem.
- 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 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, this may need to be completed more than once to achieve the desired results.
- Antibacterial Rinse: for the early stages of gum disease, a simple antibacterial rinse can help restore health to the gums. A dentist may prescribe a specific rinse to help improve your dental health.
- Gum Surgery: For advanced stages of gum disease, gum surgery may be needed to remove diseased tissue and restore your oral health.
- Laser Dentistry: This revolutionary treatment may eliminate the need for gum surgery. Dental lasers can be used to safely remove diseased tissue while minimizing the risk of infection, reducing bleeding, and promoting a faster healing response from the body.
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. It’s best to take care of gum disease as soon as possible to prevent the need for invasive procedures like surgery and to minimize the risk to your oral health.
How long does it take before gum disease is healed after periodontal therapy?
It all depends on the case. Antibacterial rinses can help quickly care for a mild case, while scaling and root planing requires multiple sessions. If gum surgery is necessary, it takes a few weeks for everything to heal suitably. 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. It minimizes any pain, reduces bleeding and swelling, minimizes the risk of infection, and promotes a faster healing response from your body. 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. The area will be sufficiently numbed with a local anesthetic 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 adquately taking care of your oral health, these bacteria continue to compound 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 that are obese, and those with poor nutrition all have higher chances of the disease, too. Certain medications and medical conditions increase your chances, which is why we always want to discuss your medical history and ensure we have all the facts. 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.