How Do You Treat Gum Disease?

First and foremost, you should know that generally, gum disease can be prevented by maintaining basic oral health. This simply means brushing, flossing, and seeing a hygienist regularly can save you big time in the long run. That being said, if you are concerned you are someone with gum disease, please read on and reach out to our experienced dental team to learn more about gum disease and how we can help. Here are some of the questions you may have:

What are the causes of gum disease, and how does it progress?

Gum disease generally occurs when individuals do not take up proper dental hygiene. When people do not adequately brush, floss, and receive regular checkups, their gums will become inflamed. From here, unless properly treated, the condition will only progress. There are three stages of gum disease. They are as follows:

  • Gingivitis: This form of gum disease, if caught right away, is still fairly easily treatable and reversible. Gingivitis is when bacteria found in plaque damages the gums.
  • Periodontitis: This is when bacteria eats away at your gums, often resulting in spaces in between your gums and teeth.
  • Advanced Periodontitis: At this point, your gum tissue will have broken down so extensively that it will eventually begin destroying the bone supporting your teeth as well, often causing your teeth to fall out or require removal.

How can I tell if I have gum disease?

Some of the most common symptoms of gum disease are as follows:

  • Very sensitive teeth
  • Receding gums
  • Having consistent pain when you chew foods
  • Having swollen or red gums
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Persistent bad taste in your mouth
  • Gums that bleed when you brush or floss them
  • Loose teeth

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you must schedule an appointment with a hygienist as soon as you can.

How is gum disease treated?

As stated earlier, solid regular dental hygiene is the best way to treat gum disease. However, if you have a serious case of gum disease, you may require a scaling and root planning procedure performed to remove plaque and tartar from below your gum line. In cases of advanced periodontitis, you may need both gingival flap surgery and bone grafting to shrink periodontal pockets and restore any bone that was eaten away by the disease. If you believe you have any stage of gum disease, please do not hesitate to reach out to our experienced dental team. We are here to help.

Contact Dental Associates of Basking Ridge

Dental Associates of Basking Ridge is a compassionate, gentle, and professional state-of-the-art dental practice serving Basking Ridge, Morris & Somerset County. Our office is always ready to greet our patients with a smile, take the time to answer any questions, and provide the quality dental services our patients expect. Please contact us to schedule an appointment. We look forward to serving you!

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