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Gum Specialists in Ivanhoe
Untreated gum disease can cause all sorts of health problems, including an increased risk for heart disease and high blood pressure. If you’re having issues with your gums, don’t wait to seek treatment. Our gum disease dentists in Ivanhoe are ready to help you restore and maintain your gum health. Contact us today to book a consultation and take the first step towards a healthier smile.
Periodontitis vs. Gingivitis: The Two Stages of Gum Disease
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Over time, plaque and calculus can build up in the mouth, leading to gum disease, which typically progresses in two stages: gingivitis and periodontitis.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. You might notice your gums becoming red, swollen, or bleeding when you brush or floss. At this point, the problem is still reversible since the infection hasn’t yet reached the bone or connective tissues. Gingivitis usually happens by improper brushing and flossing habits, allowing plaque—a sticky layer of bacteria—to build up on your teeth and gums. The good news is that gingivitis can be both prevented and reversed with good oral health habits and regular teeth cleanings.
Periodontitis
If gingivitis isn’t dealt with on time, it can turn into periodontitis, which is more serious. Periodontitis is a bacterial infection that happens when the plaque and bacteria starts spreading below the gum line, causing your gums to pull away (recede) from the teeth. When this happens, your body’s response to the infection can actually start to break down the bone and tissue that hold your teeth in place, eventually leading to loose teeth or even tooth loss. Treating periodontitis often requires more intense measures, like deep cleaning, antibiotics, or sometimes surgery, to stop the damage and get things under control.
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Why choose our Dental Clinic
Pain-free treatment
Modern equipment
Transparent prices
Why Choose Us
Symptoms of Gum Disease
When your gums are healthy, they are pink, firm to the touch, and fit snugly around your teeth. However, when gum disease starts to develop, you may notice some changes. Early symptoms of gum disease include:
- Red, swollen gums
- Gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
- Mild gum tenderness or discomfort
As gingivitis progresses into periodontitis, the symptoms become more severe and harder to ignore. You might start to notice:
- Receding gums, which makes your teeth appear longer
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Deep pockets forming between your teeth and gums
- Pus between the gums and teeth
- Painful chewing and toothaches
- Changes in how your bite fits together
If you notice any of these symptoms, call us to book a consultation right away. Early intervention can make all the difference in preserving your oral health and preventing more serious issues down the road.
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Treatments for Gum Disease
Treating gum disease involves a mix of professional dental care and keeping up with good habits at home. The treatment you need depends on how advanced the gum disease is.
Professional Cleaning: In the early stages of gum disease, i.e., gingivitis, a thorough professional teeth cleaning can often do the trick. This involves removing plaque and calculus from your teeth, especially around the gum line and also checking if there are any other issues, like cavities or teeth sensitivity. Here at ieDental, we offer the option of using AIRFLOW Guided Biofilm Therapy during teeth cleanings, an innovative cleaning system that effectively and painlessly polishes teeth and removes stains using a gentle stream of warm water and compressed air instead of a scaler.
Scaling and Root Debridement: If gum disease has moved into periodontitis, you might need a more involved treatment, like scaling and root debridement. This periodontal disease treatment removes plaque and calculus from deep below the gum line, and smooths the roots of your teeth so bacteria have a harder time sticking around.
Medications: If you have a severe bacterial infection, we might recommend antibiotics or special mouth rinses to help knock out the infection and reduce bacteria levels in your mouth. Antibiotics and other medications are usually used together with in-office treatments to provide the best and fastest results.
Surgical Treatments: Surgery might be the only option for severe cases where the gums of jawbones are severely compromised. Options include flap surgery, which helps clean out deep pockets of calculus that deposit beneath the gum line, and bone or tissue grafts to replace lost bone or tissue in the jaw.
Maintaining the health of your gums: Keeping up with regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits is really important to prevent the gum disease from coming back. After your gum disease treatment, we may ask you to come in for general dentistry appointments more frequently to keep an eye on your progress and help you maintain healthy gums long-term.
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