Bella Smiles offers a full range of periodontal therapy services to treat gum disease at every stage. Gum disease is one of the leading causes of adult tooth loss. When left untreated, gum disease can increase your risk of developing serious oral health concerns that may affect the function, appearance, and health of your smile. Maintaining healthy gums will promote a healthy smile.
During your preventive care exam, your Bella Smiles dentist will look at the teeth, mouth, and gums. This is to spot any signs of dental problems including gum disease. Finding it and treating it early can lower your risk for damage to the teeth and gums. Our dental care team will teach you how to improve the health of your smile. In addition to providing periodontal disease treatment, we provide restorative dentistry services in Long Island, NY.
Signs of Gum Disease
Common signs of gum disease include:
- Bleeding gums
- Red, swollen or sore gums
- Receding Gums
- Loose teeth
- Mouth sores or pus between gums and teeth
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Changes in the fit of dentures
Stages of Periodontal Disease
During the early stage of gum disease, most patients do not know they have it. However, an expert dentist can spot it during an exam of your teeth and gums. Gum disease is an infection of the gums that gets worse without treatment.
Gingivitis: Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease. During this stage, patients may notice symptoms like bleeding gums, swollen gums, and bad breath. Treating gum disease in the earliest stage may reduce damage to the gums and teeth.
Periodontitis: Periodontitis is the most advanced stage of gum disease. During periodontitis, patients may experience symptoms like receding gums, halitosis, shifting teeth, and even tooth loss.
Treating Gum Disease with Non-surgical Periodontal Treatments
During your appointment, Drs. Lotardo, Pop, or Caesar will perform a complete exam to find out how bad your gum disease is and which stage it is. Your dentist will create a treatment plan based on your needs.
Antibacterial Rinse: For mild gum disease or persistent gingivitis we will often recommend using an at-home anti-bacterial rinse which will maintain gum health between visits. Dr. Pop may recommend using antibacterial rinses with other services to effectively treat the teeth and gums.
Scaling and Root Planing: This treatment method is an intensive dental cleaning that removes bacteria from the gums. Using special tools, your dental care team will scrape away plaque and tartar buildup and remove bacteria from the deep gum pockets where it forms. Removing the bacteria from the pockets in the early stages of development can help prevent gum recession and tooth loss.
Laser dentistry: Using state-of-the-art dental lasers, we can remove harmful gum disease-causing bacteria without the need for surgery, sutures, or long downtime in our dentist office. The use of dental lasers has made treating gum disease more effective and far less painful. A laser can be used to remove diseased tissue while stimulating healing to restore healthy gums.
Gum Disease FAQs
Can gum disease be reversed?
Yes. Gum disease is treatable and can be reversed with dental treatments. It is easily treatable if caught in the early stages of development. If you have gums that bleed regularly, visit your dentist for deep dental cleaning and an exam.
What can I expect after scaling and root planing?
After scaling and root planing for the later stages of gum disease, you can expect your gums to be sore for a couple of days while they naturally heal and grow healthy soft tissue. Your fresh gums will be sensitive to hot and cold foods for a short period. Avoid eating spicy and acidic food as well.
How can I prevent gum disease from returning?
The easiest way to prevent gum disease from returning is to brush your teeth gently at least twice a day, use mouthwash every time, and floss! Your dentist may also prescribe an antibacterial rinse to accompany your oral health routine.