Recognizing and Treating Gum Disease

Our Ann Arbor, MI, dentists urge you to show some love to your gums. They are important and contribute greatly to your overall oral health. When they’re under attack from bacteria, however, they can become compromised by gum disease which cannot be reversed once it progresses past the initial stage.

Here’s what you need to know about gum disease and how you can recognize key symptoms.

What Are the Stages of Gum Disease?

Gum disease starts out as gingivitis. It’s typical at this stage for the gums to become inflamed and easily bleed during tooth brushing. This is due to plaque buildup that can be cleaned by at-home hygiene as well as checkup appointments. No need to panic; the condition can still be turned around before it’s too late.

When an individual experiences gingivitis, they have gum irritation but do not yet have any irreversible bone or tissue damage and their teeth are still firmly intact. It is when gingivitis is left untreated and able to progress, that it develops into periodontitis which is much more serious.

Learn More → 5 Reasons to Go See a Dentist

Periodontitis encapsulates the later stages of gum disease and has greater oral health consequences. Unlike gingivitis which is reversible, periodontitis is a long-term and chronic condition. You need professional assistance in terms of cleaning on top of diligent at-home care if you want to manage this condition well moving forward.

Advanced periodontitis can lead to destroyed bone tissue, loosened teeth, or even tooth loss. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to come to this as gum disease can largely be prevented with consistent oral care and routine teeth cleanings every 6 months.

Pay Attention to These Symptoms

It can be easy to ignore certain symptoms of gum disease. For example, if you notice your gums becoming a bit red or bleeding during flossing, you might think you’ve just been too heavy-handed and need to slow down or loosen your grip. However, it is important to bring up any new discomfort or a changed appearance with our dentists.

That way, we can take action and give you tips before your condition progresses beyond quick treatment. The symptoms listed below do not always guarantee that you have gum disease, but you should take note of them nonetheless.

Common gum disease signs include:

Gums that are red, swollen, or tender
Receding gums (pulling away from teeth)
Gums that bleed easily
Loose teeth
Bad breath
Pain while chewing
Deep pockets or pus between teeth and gums

The earlier concerning symptoms are caught, the easier it is for both you and our dentists to treat them.

What Does Gum Disease Treatment Involve?

Through restorative dental procedures, varying degrees of gum disease can be effectively treated. One form of treatment for periodontal disease is scaling and root planing. Essentially, it involves a deep cleaning of your gums and teeth.

Oftentimes, those afflicted with gum disease have deep gum pockets around their teeth which allows food particles and plaque to settle there. Scaling is what removes the plaque and tartar from below the gumline. Root planing then helps smooth out the tooth root which facilitates the reattachment of the gums to the tooth. Gum recession is a common problem for those dealing with periodontal disease so this is necessary.

Other than this procedure, it’s all about formulating proper oral hygiene habits and sticking to them. Certain products like medicated rinses or even prescribed antibiotics may also be recommended to you by our dentists to help keep your mouth healthy.

Call Us for Gum Disease Help

If you are noticing any of the classic gum disease signs or symptoms, it’s wise that you seek out professional help from our dentists in Ann Arbor, MI. We can assess your condition and take the necessary next steps in terms of treatment. Call Excel Dental today at (734) 929-9999 to request an appointment.

This blog has been updated.