Gum disease treatment by stage from a periodontist in Farmington Hills

By Dr. Richard Bernstein

Nearly 80% of adults in America will be affected by gum disease at some point in their lifetime. For some, it can be a mild case of gingivitis. For others, it may be full blow periodontitis, which is a very serious condition putting them at risk for tooth loss. At our practice, we place a great deal of importance on prevention. By practicing good oral hygiene, maintaining regular dental care from a physician, and consuming a healthy diet, you can greatly reduce your chance of developing gum disease. Of course, we are extremely experienced in helping treat our patients who have developed gum disease to help them regain their oral health. Let’s take a look at the two stages of gum disease and how they are treated.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease and the most easily treatable. It starts as a buildup of plaque between teeth and along the gum line. This area becomes a breeding ground for bacteria that will cause the gums to become inflamed. Symptoms of gingivitis are typically bleeding of the gums, especially while brushing, inflammation, redness, and chronic bad breath. If you begin to notice any of these symptoms it is important to schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience to have your gums evaluated.

Luckily, when caught early, gingivitis can be reversed. Typical treatment involves a professional cleaning to remove the tartar and plaque from the teeth. We may also recommend you increase the frequency of your routine visits and cleanings for a period of time to monitor the gums. If gingivitis is left alone it can progress into periodontitis. At this stage, the mouth can experience irreversible damage, bone degeneration, and tooth loss.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is also known as advanced gum disease. At this point, the untreated bacteria have started to damage the bone structure and gum tissue. The gum line begins to recede and teeth can eventually become so loose that they fall out.

Treatment for periodontitis is a procedure called root planing and scaling that removes tartar trapped beneath the gum lines. If teeth have been lost and bone structure has been compromised, patients may require a bone graft before becoming eligible candidates for dental implants.

With gum disease, the earlier you begin treatment the better. If you have any signs or symptoms of gum disease, please call us and set up an appointment with our experienced Periodontist so we can examine your mouth and help prevent progression.