Gum Treatment in Fairfield, CT

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is an inflammatory infection in the mouth. The term covers everything from the mildest form, gingivitis, to advanced periodontitis. Plaque buildup at the gumline causes gum disease. The plaque is the ideal environment for bacteria to thrive. One of the signs of gingivitis is swollen gums, which is the immune system’s way of fighting the infection. If you have swollen gums or any other gum issue, please contact us now. Early gingivitis treatment may save your teeth and stop the disease from progressing.

What Causes Gingivitis to Develop?

Plaque and food debris which remain on your teeth too long cause gingivitis. The bacteria in plaque causes inflammation in your gums where they meet your teeth. While everyone has some bacteria in their mouth, it’s when you don’t brush the plaque away at least twice a day that the bacteria multiply and cause problems. Professional cleanings every six months keeps hardened plaque, called tartar, from forming. Some people who have difficulty fighting infections are more prone to gingivitis.

What Are the Early Gingivitis Symptoms to Watch For?

Gingivitis symptoms you may notice are:

• Bright red gums (they should be pink)
• Gum swelling
• Gums bleed when you brush them or floss

If you notice these signs of gingivitis, please contact us to book an appointment to talk to our dentist about a gingivitis cure.

What Are the Most Common Gum Disease Symptoms?

Gum disease symptoms that commonly occur after gingivitis symptoms include:

• Constant bad breath
• Receding gums, or teeth that look longer
• Pus you can see between the teeth
• Loose teeth
• Changes in your bite

It’s still possible to have periodontal disease without any of these symptoms, so regular exams every six months are essential for maintaining good oral health.

The Gum Disease Stages

1. Gingivitis: Gingivitis is gum inflammation. It isn’t a destructive form of gum disease, but gingivitis treatment is vital for preventing the disease from turning into periodontitis. Gingivitis does not always turn into periodontitis, but you can’t get periodontitis without having gingivitis first.
2. Periodontitis: While periodontitis is a common disease, it’s preventable in many cases. If individuals seek a gingivitis cure when they first notice signs of the first stage of gum disease, it won’t progress to periodontitis. Periodontitis causes pockets to form between the teeth and gums, allowing the infection to spread underneath the gums where it begins to damage the bone and soft tissue that hold teeth securely in place.
3. Advanced Periodontitis: Severe periodontitis occurs when the damage to your gums and bone becomes so severe that your teeth begin to fall out. You may notice severe bad breath and tooth abscesses may develop. You also may have other signs of gum disease. Please call us to set up treatment for gum disease in Fairfield and we’ll determine the best course of action.

What Is the Gingivitis Cure?

You may see gingivitis treatment options offered online but they rarely promise a cure. An effective gingivitis cure includes a professional teeth cleaning from a dental hygienist or a dentist. Dental cleanings remove the tartar that irritates your gums as plaque collects on it. At-home treatments found online may reduce the signs of gingivitis, but they don’t usually provide a cure.

What’s Involved in Treating Moderate to Advanced Periodontal Disease?

Gum disease treatment will change depending on the stage of gum disease you have and your unique circumstances. Typically, dentists suggest a deep cleaning to clean out periodontal pockets and medications to fight the infection. If this doesn’t work and the disease progresses, your dentist may suggest surgery to reduce the size of your periodontal pockets so you can properly clean your teeth at home. If you’ve lost a good amount of bone and gum tissue, grafts can replace the teeth support structures.
When Is Reversing Gum Disease a Possibility?

Reversing gum disease isn’t possible unless you can get a gum disease cure for gingivitis. You can treat other stages of gum disease, but you’re never fully cured. When we treat the latter stages of patients’ gum disease in Fairfield, our goal is to fight the infection and help them keep their teeth. You will likely need follow-up maintenance visits for life.