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The First Signs of Periodontal Disease
Cherrywood Dental • Nov 08, 2013
How’s your gum disease awareness? With all the talk about cavities and strong teeth, our gums can go unnoticed. They’re certainly important: they support your teeth, and diseased gums can lead to tooth loss. Periodontal disease ravages your teeth and gums, leaving your mouth forever changed. Our Greenbelt staff hopes to provide our patients with the tools they need in order to recognize even early signs of ailing gums. By taking action as soon as possible, you make it possible for us to treat your gums before infection can take over.
Early Signs of Gum Disease
The first level of gum problem is gingivitis, or inflamed gums. Gingivitis takes hold when plaque builds up on teeth and gums. This is usually due to poor oral hygiene. Inconsistent or improper brushing and flossing can’t remove bacteria thoroughly, and that bacteria cling to one another and to tooth surfaces, forming a sticky film. The first signs of gingivitis that you’ll notice may include
- Swollen gums
- Puffy gums
- Tender gums
- Bright red or purple gums
- Gums that bleed when touched or irritated
- Sudden and persistent bad breath
Periodontal Treatment
If you’re noticing your gums changing, you should contact your Greenbelt dentist right away. If we’re able to treat disease before it infiltrates your tooth roots, we can prevent periodontal pockets from forming. These pockets separate teeth from gums, and create problems that are difficult to undo and can require surgery. Early periodontal treatment is incredibly beneficial.
When you visit Cherrywood Dental for periodontal treatment, we will offer laser therapy. Our soft tissue laser is adept at handling periodontal disease, removing bacteria and healing infection. During laser periodontal therapy,
- We will evaluate your teeth and gums and determine the extent of infection
- Dr. Barzgar or Dr. Pakpour will use the laser to reach below the gum line, removing bacteria and killing infection even on the surfaces of tooth roots
- We will resurface your tooth roots in order to help prevent plaque from sticking to them in the future
Learn more about periodontal disease and treatment by getting in touch with our office!