Gum Treatment in Danbury, CT

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal or gum disease is an infection that spreads from the top of the gums to beneath them where it attacks the support structures for teeth. Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease, where the inflammation and infection is limited to the outside of the gums. If a person does not get gingivitis treatment, the disease can progress to periodontal disease. There is a gingivitis cure, so it’s best to seek treatment right away since there is no gum disease cure for advanced cases, only treatment to halt the progression of the disease and help to avoid tooth loss.

How Do People Develop Gingivitis?

Plaque buildup causes gingivitis. Plaque is the sticky biofilm on your teeth containing bacteria and germs. If you don’t brush well at least twice a day and floss, plaque can harden into tartar, which can irritate and infect your gums. You may not notice gingivitis, but your dentist or dental hygienist will. Only a dental professional can remove tartar, so having a professional teeth cleaning twice a year lowers your risk of developing gingivitis.

What Are the Earliest Signs of Gum Disease?

Typically, the following gingivitis symptoms are the first indication that you have gum disease:

• Red gums
• Tender gums that bleed easily
• Swollen, puffy gums

Bad breath

Please visit our dental office to learn about a gingivitis cure that will eliminate the signs of gingivitis and keep it from progressing to a more advanced stage of gum disease. Our dentists are experienced in treating gum disease in Danbury.

What Gum Disease Symptoms Should I Watch Out For?

Since treating gum disease promptly is important to prevent further damage, you should watch for these indications:

• Your gums are pulling away from your teeth
• You have loose teeth
• There’s a change in the way your teeth fit together
• You have chronic bad breath
• You see pus at the gumline between your teeth
• Your gums randomly bleed

If you have gum disease symptoms or gingivitis symptoms, please call us now for an appointment.

The Three Gum Disease Stages

1. Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the most commonly found form of gum disease and a precursor of periodontitis, which can occur without gingivitis treatment. Gingivitis can range from mild to severe. Everyone has some plaque on their teeth; however, some people are more susceptible to developing gingivitis. Certain diseases, such as diabetes, hinder the body’s ability to fight the bacteria in plaque. Hormonal changes also leave gums vulnerable. People with crooked teeth, who cannot reach the nooks and crannies near the gumline when they brush, are more likely to develop gingivitis.

2. Periodontitis

If you let gingivitis go untreated, it often develops into periodontitis. Pockets form between the teeth and gums as the gums start pulling away from the teeth. The bacteria in the pockets will begin to attach the bone and tissue holding your teeth. Untreated periodontitis can increase your risk of developing heart disease or having a stroke.

3. Advanced Periodontitis

As periodontitis advances, your teeth may shift or become loose since you lose more bone as the pockets become deeper. It becomes harder for patients to keep their mouths clean. Untreated advanced gum disease also increases your risk of having a stroke or heart attack.

Is There a Gingivitis Cure?

Home remedies may cure mild gingivitis, but some only treat the gingivitis symptoms, rather than the cause. A gingivitis cure from a dentist will treat the symptoms and the cause of gingivitis so it won’t turn into periodontitis. Our dentist will likely suggest a professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar near the gumline and also go over your oral care routine to make sure your signs of gingivitis do not return. Call our office to make an appointment for gingivitis treatment to stop progression of the disease.

What Treatments Do Dentists Recommend for Periodontal Disease?

Treatment often involves cleaning out the pockets with a deep cleaning and providing antibiotics to fight the infection. Your dentist may suggest a combination of oral and topical antibiotics. Treatment is more invasive with advanced periodontitis. Your dentist may suggest surgery to clean out the gum pockets, and gum grafts. This will replace lost gum tissue and cover exposed roots. Bone grafting also may be needed to hold the teeth in place.
Is Reversing Gum Disease Easy?

Reversing gum disease if you have gingivitis is relatively easy. Gum disease treatment for severe periodontitis usually prevents further damage and clears up the infection, but it will not reverse this last stage of gum disease.