What Is Gum Disease
Dental Implants Wilmington, DE
 Gum disease, also called periodontal disease or periodontitis, initiates with the growth of bacteria in the mouth. It is tissue inflammation that can be caused due to poor dental hygiene and poor brushing and flossing practices, resulting in the development of plaque and teeth hardening. When left untreated, it can cause tooth loss, discomfort while chewing, painful or bleeding gums, and other issues. Regular gum disease screening and identifying the signs of gum disease can help in the prevention and early detection.
At Delaware Periodontics, our dentists Dr. Bradford Klassman and Dr. Klassman can help you understand the early signs of gum disease and conduct a thorough evaluation to ensure you are free from gum disease.
Signs of Gum Disease
Identifying the signs of gum disease can help in early detection and treatment. Here are some of the common signs of gum disease:
| • |
Bad breath
|
| • |
Bleeding while flossing or brushing teeth
|
| • |
Gums bleeding
|
| • |
Tender gums
|
| • |
Purplish, dusky red, or bright red gums
|
| • |
Puffy or swollen gums |
Significance of Periodontal Maintenance
Periodontal maintenance includes the cleaning process that helps maintain the health of your gums and bones. This treatment thoroughly cleans your teeth and gums to prevent the signs and progression of gum disease. Gum disease can increase the depth of gum pockets, making more room for bacteria to grow and travel in your bloodstream. This increases the chances of gum disease infecting other parts of the body.
Ensuring you are regular with periodontal maintenance helps prevent pocket depth occurrence and alleviates gum problems so your gums and teeth are healthy.
Gum grafting is a procedure that helps cover the exposed surfaces of the root of your tooth. It is also called gingival grafting or periodontal surgery and is an effective treatment for receding gums that happens because of excessive tartar buildup. There are three main types of gum grafting:
| • |
Connective-tissue graft
|
| • |
Free gingival graft
|
| • |
Pedicle graft |
How is Gum Disease Treated?
There are multiple treatments available for gum disease. The dentists assess and evaluate your mouth and consider your oral health, as well as the severity of the gum disease, to determine the best treatment option for you. For the initial stages of gum disease, various non-surgical treatments available can help control the progression of the disease. Moreover, you will be provided with care instructions to ensure the disease doesn’t get worse. For other cases, surgical treatments would be recommended to treat the advanced stages of gum disease. There are numerous surgical and non-surgical treatments available for gum disease.
Surgical Treatments
The surgical treatments usually include:
| • |
Tissue-stimulating proteins
|
| • |
Guided tissue regeneration
|
| • |
Bone grafting
|
| • |
Soft tissue grafts
|
| • |
Pocket reduction surgery |
Non-Surgical Treatments
The non-surgical treatments are less invasive and include:
| • |
Antibiotics
|
| • |
Root planing
|
| • |
Scaling |
If you think you might have gum disease, it is integral to get a gum disease screening immediately. Our dentists at Delaware Periodontics can conduct a quick checkup to determine whether you have gum disease and find the best treatment. Call us at 302-551-3553 to book your appointment.
Request an Appointment
|
