Gum disease affects nearly 50 percent of all adults over the age of 30. It is one of the most common dental-related diseases out there, and treatment is effective in either preventing it from getting worse and eliminating it altogether. As gum disease begins to worsen, small pockets will form around your teeth. These tiny pockets continue to deepen and allow plaque, debris and bacteria to get lodged inside. It’s almost impossible to clean out these pockets on your own. For patients with gum disease, there are many treatments available to help with reducing the size of these pockets and keeping them clean to prevent the progression of the disease.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease
One of the best ways to determine if you have gum disease is with an exam done by a dental professional. During your bi-annual appointments with us, we’ll measure the gum pockets around each tooth. If a pocket measures deeper than 3mm, it could be a sign that gum disease is present and that treatment is necessary. However, there are many signs and symptoms of gum disease that can alert you that something’s wrong before even visiting a dentist. Some of these include:

• Your gums bleed when you brush or floss
• Your gums are red and inflamed
• Your teeth feel loose
• Your gums have receded
• Pus between gums and teeth
• Bad breath
• Tenderness
• Your gums bleed when you bite into foods

Understanding Your Treatment Options
Gum disease doesn’t have to be a death sentence for your teeth. However, if left untreated, it can lead to eventual tooth and bone loss. This is why it’s crucial that you seek treatment as soon as possible to help treat and eradicate the gum disease. The most common treatment for gum disease is a scaling and root planing. A scaling and root planing is often referred to as a deeper cleaning because it goes down below the gum line to clean those small pockets. Other treatment options include laser therapy, soft tissue grafting and pocket reduction surgery to help in improving the health of your gums and decreasing the size of these gingival pockets. While gum disease is common, the best way to prevent it is with regular oral hygiene done twice daily.

If you suspect that you have gum disease, call us today and our staff members can further assist you in scheduling an appointment at your earliest convenience.