Gum disease is most often caused by a lack of proper oral hygiene, resulting in a buildup of plaque.
Periodontal disease, commonly referred to as gum disease, occurs when a bacterial infection gets below your gum line. The same harmful bacteria that cause cavities can wreak havoc on your oral health from inside of your gums.
Gum disease is, like cavities and tooth decay, fairly common. Treatment is also simple, so you don’t have to worry about large invasive procedures unless your gum disease has been allowed to progress for a long amount of time.
Gum disease is most often caused by a lack of proper oral hygiene, resulting in a buildup of plaque.
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of periodontitis and is easily treatable through daily oral hygiene practice. Periodontitis usually requires professional treatment to recover from.
If left untreated, gum disease can progress into serious health conditions. An abscessed tooth is very dangerous and painful, and you can also lose all of your teeth.
When paired with regular oral hygiene and routine dental visits, most antimicrobial mouthwashes can help to prevent gum disease. At your appointment, our team may be able to recommend a specific mouthwash for you.
Anyone can develop gum disease, but there are some factors that can put you at a greater risk of periodontitis. These include:
Treatment for gum disease, especially if it hasn’t progressed for too long, is simple. There are several options available, so the treatment option that suits you best can be selected.
Also known as scaling and root planing, deep cleanings can clear out the infection from your gums and make it more likely for your roots to heal.
The first part of the procedure, scaling, removes calculus and plaque from your tooth surfaces. It’s especially focused on removing these substances from below the gum line, where it’s more difficult to clean. We use a special tool called an ultrasonic scaling tool.
After scaling, root planing will be performed. This involves smoothing out the surface of your tooth roots to make it harder for bacteria to adhere to the surface.
If your gums have receded a significant amount, you may need soft tissue grafting in order to cover your tooth roots and protect your gums. This involves taking soft tissue from elsewhere in your mouth and placing it where it’s needed.
Instead of soft tissue grafting, sometimes a less invasive technique called pinhole surgery can be performed. This involves taking a tiny needle and creating a minuscule hole through which special tools can be used to extend your gums back to where they should be.
You don’t need to suffer through treatment. We offer dental sedation so you can be comfortable during your periodontal cleaning or procedure.
To learn more, contact our office by calling 630-289-7111. You can also fill out our convenient online contact form and we’ll get right back to you.
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