You may be at risk of gum disease if you have sensitive, bleeding, or inflamed gums. This common but damaging disease can happen to patients of any age. Gum disease begins with bleeding and irritated gums but can eventually lead to tooth loss. At Cooper Family Dental, we provide periodontal disease treatment in Arlington, TX.
We want to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Our gum treatments are a part of our restorative dentistry. When you treat gum disease, you can quickly restore the function and look of your teeth and gums.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Your mouth contains good bacteria that support your oral health. However, leftover food or a lack of saliva caused by dry mouth can attract harmful bacteria. Gum disease begins when harmful bacteria build in the mouth. These bacteria feed on sugars left in the mouth.
The bacteria create plaque, a thin bacterial film, can cover the teeth and gums. If you don’t remove plaque, it forms tartar, also known as calculus. While you can remove plaque with regular brushing and flossing, tartar is harder to remove. Only a hygienist or dentist can remove plaque.
As gum disease progresses, it breaks down the gum tissue. The teeth lose support from the gums. As a result, you can lose natural teeth.
Signs of Gum Disease
Common symptoms of gum disease include:
- Bleeding gums
- Gum pockets (gum recession)
- Bad breath
Your symptoms will depend on your stage of gum disease. You may also be at risk of gum disease because of:
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Dry mouth
- Hormonal changes
- Genetics
- Medications
Please contact our office if you notice sudden gum problems or changes in the appearance and comfort of your gums.
Gum Disease and Your Health
Your gum health plays a significant role in your overall well-being. Gum disease has connections to several serious health conditions. For instance, individuals with a history of heart problems may face heightened risks because of inflammation. When this inflammation reaches the heart, it can lead to complications like heart attacks, strokes, or other cardiovascular issues.
Diabetes is another condition closely connected to gum health. Some diabetes medications can cause dry mouth and raise glucose levels in saliva, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive. This makes managing gum health particularly important for people with diabetes.
Pregnancy is also a time when gum health needs extra attention. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can lead to increased gum irritation, making pregnant individuals more susceptible to gum disease. Fortunately, dental cleanings are safe during pregnancy and can help maintain healthy gums throughout this important period.
By understanding these connections, you can see why maintaining good gum health is vital not just for your smile but for your entire body.
The Stages of Gum Disease
Your symptoms can indicate your stage of the disease, and the treatments we may recommend. Gum disease has multiple stages:
- Gingivitis: Gingivitis is the precursor to gum disease, marked by inflamed and swollen gum tissue. The good news is that you can reverse gingivitis. If you only have plaque or tartar at the gum line, we will suggest more regular dental cleanings. These cleanings and a good at-home oral hygiene routine should reverse your symptoms.
- Mild Periodontitis: As gingivitis turns into periodontitis, the gums pull away from your teeth and create gum pockets. A deep cleaning will help reduce bacteria in these gum pockets. We may recommend regular gum cleanings to keep your gum disease in check.
- Moderate Periodontitis: As gum pockets grow, they expose the tooth roots. This problem increases the risk of inflammation affecting other parts of the body. Deep gum cleanings and oral surgery are the best options for moderate gum disease.
- Advanced Periodontitis: Untreated gum disease will lead to gum and bone loss. During the final stage of gum disease, you may experience deep gum pockets and loose teeth. Gum disease is irreversible; we will recommend oral surgery to help rebuild lost tissue because your gums do not grow back.
Periodontal Disease Treatment in Arlington, TX
If you have signs of gum disease, or if we notice these signs at a routine dental visit, we will recommend a thorough examination. We will find the source of your gum disease and which areas of the mouth require treatment. Then, we will create a treatment plan. We base this plan on your stage of gum disease, current health, and medications.
Scaling and Root Planing
These two treatments help remove bacteria from your gums and tooth roots. To begin, we use a stainless steel tool to remove plaque and tartar from your gum pockets. Then, we remove bacterial buildup from the tooth roots. Root planing helps smooth the tooth roots to ensure the gums can naturally reattach.
Antibiotics
Medicine can help reduce harmful bacteria in your mouth. We may put antibiotics in your gum pockets after a deep cleaning to help stop inflammation. You can also use antibacterial rinses at home as a part of your at-home routine.
Surgery
In advanced cases of gum disease, we will refer you to an oral surgeon. The offer gum surgeries to remove and rebuild dead tissue. A gingivectomy removes infected gum tissue.
If you have extreme gum recession, a gum grafting treatment can help. Gum grafts take healthy gum tissue from another part of your mouth to replace the bad tissue. Bone grafting is also useful for bone loss. Like gum grafting, bone grafting can rebuild lost bone tissue.
How to Keep Your Gums Healthy
Taking care of your gums at home is just as important as visiting the dentist. Here are some simple steps you can follow to keep your gums healthy and strong:
Brush and Floss Every Day
A solid oral hygiene routine is the foundation of healthy gums. Start by flossing between each tooth to remove food particles and plaque that brushing can’t reach. Be sure to curve the floss gently around each tooth at the gum line.
After flossing, brush your teeth for two full minutes. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and a toothpaste with fluoride to clean your teeth, gums, and tongue thoroughly. This helps remove harmful bacteria and keeps your breath fresh.
Schedule Regular Dental Cleanings
Seeing your dentist every six months for a professional cleaning is essential for gum health. During these visits, dental hygienists will scale your teeth to remove tartar, then brush and floss them for a deep clean. Regular cleanings help prevent gum disease and keep your smile bright. If you experience ongoing gum problems, we may recommend more frequent deep cleanings to target specific concerns.
Watch Your Sugar Intake
Sugary foods and drinks can harm your gums by feeding the bacteria that cause gum disease. These bacteria produce acids that irritate your gums and weaken tooth enamel. To reduce the risk, try to limit how much sugar you consume. If you do have something sweet, drink water right after to rinse away the sugar and brush and floss your teeth soon after.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking water throughout the day can help wash away food particles and bacteria, keeping your gums healthy. Water also encourages saliva production, which naturally protects your teeth and gums by neutralizing acids in your mouth.
Renew Your Gum Health
Call Cooper Family Dental for periodontal disease treatment in Arlington, TX, at 817-646-1217. You can also schedule an appointment online. If you have questions about gum disease, please let us know at your next visit. We’re here to help.