What Are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?

Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that help hold the teeth in place. This is caused by poor oral hygiene that allows plaque to build up and to harden. When it is left untreated, it can result in severe damage to the jaw that supports the teeth. This is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in our patients in Plano, TX. At Parker West Dental Associates, we offer both nonsurgical and surgical treatment options for our patients suffering from any stage of periodontal disease.

Gum disease symptoms

Gum disease can, oftentimes, be silent, so it’s hard to know when you have it. This makes regular exams and routine dental cleanings an important step in detecting gum disease before it advances. Some common signs of gum disease are:

• Pain

• Bleeding while brushing or flossing

• Swollen, red, or tender gums

• Loose or separating teeth

• Receding gums

• Bad breath

• Bite changes

• Pus between the gums and teeth

If you suspect you may have gum disease in Plano, TX, our professional team can help you treat it before it advances to more serious stages.

Stages of Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease has four stages:

1. Gingivitis: Gingivitis is a result of plaque buildup, affecting only the gums. At this early point, the bones have not been attacked, so periodontal disease is still treatable. Bleeding gums is one of the first symptoms you will experience. Good oral hygiene, and regular dental exams and dental cleanings can not only help treat this disease at this stage, but they can also reverse it.

2. Slight Periodontal Disease: Slight periodontal disease isn’t reversible, but can be managed with the help of Dr. Tim Nguyen. Once you reach stage two, the infection has spread to the bone and begun deteriorating it. Bone loss occurs because the bacteria is becoming more aggressive at this point. Scaling and root planing can be used to deep clean your gums, removing bacteria deposits that are deep inside it.

3. Moderate Periodontal Disease: This third stage has more probing depths, which allows for even more aggressive bacteria to attack the bones and get into the bloodstream. Our periodontal specialists can thoroughly clean the area with a variety of treatment options.

4. Advanced Periodontal Disease: The final stage of periodontal disease occurs when the infection has led to disease-causing bacteria. This stage requires laser therapy or periodontal surgery to cleanse pockets of bacteria on the gums. When this is left untreated, gaps, gum recession, and other serious health problems will occur.

Ultimately, treating periodontal disease quickly is important. At Parker West Dental Associates, we teach our patients good oral hygiene habits that help them stall the progression of this dangerous oral health disease.

Gum disease treatments

The treatment chosen by Dr. Nguyen will be determined by the severity of your gum disease. Treating gum disease as early as possible helps to minimize damage and decreases any need for surgery. It also reduces the chance of tooth loss. The goal of any periodontal treatment is to restore the health of your gums.

Some of the most common periodontal treatments used at our Plano, TX office include:

1. Scaling and root planing: This is the least invasive option that removes plaque and tartar near the gumline, and creates a smoother root surface. Smoothing rough spots allows our professional team to remove bacteria and create a clean surface for the gums to reattach successfully.

2. Gum lift surgery: This is used for more advanced stages of periodontal disease. The gums are lifted back and all tartar is removed. The gums are then placed so the tissue fits snugly around each tooth. This will reduce the space between the gum and the tooth, which deters bacteria from growing there again.

3. Soft tissue grafts/Bone grafting: This treatment uses fragments of the patient’s own bone or donated bone to replace bone that was destroyed by the progression of gum disease. This will make the teeth more stable. Soft tissue grafts can be used to reinforce thin gums and to fill in places where gum recession occurred.

4. Tooth restoration: When tooth loss occurs, we offer a variety of restorative dentistry options, such as crowns and dental implants, to restore your smile.

Learn more about gum disease treatment in Plano, TX

When left untreated, gum disease will continue to worsen to more advanced stages. At Parker West Dental Associates in Plano, TX, we work with our patients to help them improve their gum health. For more information on gum disease treatments and to schedule an appointment at our professional office, give us a call!