Gum Disease Treatment in East Longmeadow

What Is Periodontal Disease?

If your dentist tells you that you have gum disease, you're likely to talk about periodontal disease as well. These terms both describe an infection of the gums and other soft tissues surrounding your teeth. Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal gum disease, and it's the only stage where you can receive a gum disease cure. Without early intervention, gingivitis can progress to advanced stages that can damage your gum tissue and jawbone, leading to tooth loss. It's the main cause of tooth loss in adults 35 years and older.

What Causes Gingivitis?

Gingivitis symptoms usually occur due to poor oral hygiene, and plaque and tartar are two primary causes of gingivitis. Plaque is a bacterial film that accumulates on your teeth every day, but you can remove it by brushing and flossing daily. If not removed, plaque develops into tartar, a hard, yellow-colored substance that forms along the gum line and between teeth. Only your hygienist or dentist can remove hardened tartar during a professional cleaning. If you don't receive regular dental cleanings to remove tartar, the condition advances, increasing the risk of losing your teeth. To prevent gum disease in East Longmeadow, make an appointment at our office today.

What Are Some Common Gum Disease Symptoms?

One of the first gingivitis symptoms is bleeding gums while brushing or flossing. Your gums may also appear red and puffy, and you may experience chronic bad breath or an odd taste in your mouth, even after brushing. If you notice any of these signs of gingivitis, call our office right away for a gum disease evaluation. Our dentists can assess the health of your gums and work with you toward finding a gingivitis cure.

What Signs of Gum Disease Do Dentists Look For?

Gingivitis signs can progressively worsen if you don't receive treatment from a dentist. That's why it's important to prioritize dental care when you first notice gingivitis symptoms. During your examination at our office, your dentist will carefully examine your gums and look for these warning signs of periodontal disease:

• Receding gums
• Swollen gums
• Gums that are pulling away from your teeth
• Pus between your teeth and gums
• Teeth that are loose or unevenly spaced
• Inflamed or infected areas on your gum tissue

Your dentist will design a gum disease treatment plan based on the severity of your gum disease symptoms.

Are There Different Gum Disease Stages?

There are three different stages of gum disease.

Gingivitis

Reversing gum disease is still possible if you have gingivitis because it's the mildest stage of the disease. You may not notice any signs of gingivitis at this point, but many people experience bleeding gums while brushing or flossing. As soon as you notice bleeding gums, call our office. Our experienced dentists can help you find a gingivitis cure before the condition progresses.

Periodontitis

If you ignore the signs of gingivitis, you're at risk of periodontitis. This serious infection affects the bones and soft tissues surrounding your teeth. Your gums may also pull away from your teeth, forming pockets where bacteria can accumulate. Although reversing gum disease isn't possible at this stage, your dentist can design a treatment plan to halt the further progression of the disease.

Advanced Periodontitis

During this advanced stage of gum disease, the bones in your jaw and the tissues supporting your teeth are permanently damaged, and your teeth may loosen or even fall out. Invasive treatment options are needed to restore your oral health and the function of your mouth.

How Can I Cure Gingivitis?

"Can gingivitis be cured?" This is a common question many patients ask. A gingivitis cure is only possible when gum disease is treated in its early stages. Reversing gum disease requires regular checkups and dental cleanings at our office and maintaining good oral hygiene at home.

What Are My Gingivitis Treatment Options?

Brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist twice a year are effective treatment options for gingivitis. However, advanced gingivitis treatment may be required depending on the health of your gums. These treatment options include scaling and root planing, antibiotics, soft tissue grafts, and bone grafts. To learn more about how to treat gingivitis, contact our office for help with gum disease in East Longmeadow.

Is it Possible to Reverse Gum Disease?

Our dentists can help reverse gingivitis if you receive treatment at the first sign of symptoms. Advanced cases of gum disease may require surgical intervention to restore your oral health. Get in touch with us to learn about your gingivitis treatment options. Our dentists are committed to helping you treat gum disease in East Longmeadow.