Gum Disease
Gum disease is the top cause of tooth loss among adults. The risk of developing this condition only increases as you age, but even young people can experience the side effects of poor gum health if they do not prioritize oral hygiene and regular dental visits. At Zoma Dental in West Bloomfield Township, we offer gum disease treatment to relieve discomfort and restore your oral health.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Gum disease always starts small and advances in stages. The earliest stage is gingivitis, which can be difficult for the untrained eye to recognize, but the hallmark of this disease is a build-up of bacteria-laden plaque on the teeth that leaves the gums infected. Gingivitis treatment includes teeth cleaning & deep cleaning to clear out the plaque from between teeth and under the gums.
Once the disease has progressed, symptoms will be obvious and can include:
- Swelling
- Redness
- Irritation
- Bleeding
- Tenderness
- Bad breath
- Gum recession
- Loose teeth
Once disease has developed, the infection requires a dentist’s intervention to stop the problem in its tracks. It will never heal on its own and will progress to the next stages, eventually destroying the bone that supports the teeth, damaging the soft tissue, causing teeth and gums to separate, and leading to tooth loss.
How Gum Disease Treatment Works
The most common treatment for is periodontal therapy. The severity of your condition will impact how the infection is addressed.
Here is how the deep cleaning and soft tissue management works to remove the bacteria and decay that is trapped in the pockets between the gums and teeth:
- Scaling: Special tools are used to remove tartar from below the gum line.
- Root planing: Bumpy and irregular areas are smoothed out, eliminating the surfaces that are attractive to plaque.
- Antibiotics: Depending on the severity of the infection, antibiotics may be prescribed to help enhance treatment, attack the germs responsible for the infection, and promote healing.
- Further treatment: Antimicrobial rinse, mouthwash, or topical treatments may be recommended to further aid in the healing of your infection. These efforts also minimize the formation of plaque, reduce inflammation, and staunch bleeding gums.
After in-office treatment, it is necessary to follow all your West Bloomfield dentist’s recommendations to prevent the problem from developing again. This will include careful at-home care and regular follow-up dental visits.
Chances of Developing Gum Disease
Gum disease is not inevitable. If you take good care of your teeth and gums at home, see your dentist every six months for cleanings and check-ups, and make a dental visit every time something is wrong with your oral health, the infection is preventable.
There are some people, however, who do have a slightly elevated risk of developing this disease for various reasons:
- Genetics: If gum disease runs in your family, your risks of developing it yourself are increased.
- Tobacco: Smoking or chewing tobacco habits make gum disease more likely.
- Medication: Meds that cause dry mouth increase disease risk.
- Hormones: Hormone fluctuations in women can lead to temporary gum inflammation, often in pregnancy.
Gum Treatment in West Bloomfield Township
Gum disease will never go away on its own. Once it has set in, you need a dentist’s practiced hand to make it stop. Leaving the problem to fester and grow will only lead to greater discomfort and, eventually, tooth loss.
Stay on top of your oral health and see your dentist and periodontist regularly to make sure plaque and bacteria are scraped away and any early signs of gum disease can be addressed before the problem grows larger. During every dental exam, Dr. Jacqueline Zoma will check the color and firmness of your gums, check for pockets, and review your oral health for other early signs of possible disease.
Contact Zoma Dental in West Bloomfield Township to schedule your teeth cleaning and dental exam today.
