Have you ever noticed that your gums bleed after brushing? Are they sore from time to time and you don’t know why? You may be one of many who suffers from the beginning stages of gum disease and don’t even know it. Gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, is when your gums are inflamed and easily bleed while brushing or flossing. While it does not guarantee that you will get full-blown gum disease, it is most certainly a red flag that signals you need to get in to see top Clinton Township, MI dentist Dr. Ardelean as soon as you can and get a gum disease treatment.
Gum disease is linked to heart disease and diabetes. It also causes tooth loss and can do a great deal of damage to your gums and bone structure in your face and jaw. This is definitely a condition that you should take seriously. Dr. Ardelean, Clinton Township, MI dentist, is able to treat your condition with nonsurgical gum disease treatment procedures. This will help keep you from developing the later stages of this disease that can be devastating for your smile.
Causes of Gum Disease
Gum disease is a bacterial infection and inflammation in your gums. This infection is caused by the bacteria produced by excess plaque buildup along and under your gumline. There is always going to be bacteria around your gumline, but the trick is to keep the plaque under control so that the bacteria does not reach a dangerous level. Some of the most common causes of excess plaque buildup are:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Tobacco use
- Illness or other diseases
Symptoms of Gum Disease
The symptoms of gum disease are often overlooked, but the most common signs to keep an eye out for include:
- Swollen, red gums – This is also a sign of gingivitis. While not all gingivitis progresses to more advanced gum disease (periodontitis), all gum disease progresses from gingivitis.
- Loose teeth – This is evident in the later stages of gum disease. You will find that your teeth move and shift due to the damage the disease is doing to your gums and jaw.
- Gum recession – Your gums may pull back from your teeth, which will expose more of your tooth roots. This also makes your teeth more vulnerable to moving and shifting as well as further infection.
- Gums that bleed easily – This is another symptom of both gingivitis and advanced gum disease.
Treatment For Gum Disease
For a good portion of our patients, nonsurgical gum disease treatment are needed to help combat their gum disease. We offer a free consultation to anyone who thinks they may have gum disease and will discuss the best options for you. There are three gum disease treatment that we may recommend:
- Professional teeth cleaning – For a lot of people, simply getting in to see Dr. Ardelean and having your teeth cleaned is enough to begin to correct your condition. Getting a dental cleaning will immediately reduce the amount of plaque that is present. That will in turn reduce the amount of bacteria that is causing your infection.
- Root planing and scaling – This “deep cleaning” treatment may be required for more advanced gum disease. During scaling, Dr. Ardelean removes the plaque and tartar buildup from around and under your gumline. This will get rid of a lot of the bacteria that is causing your infection. Root planing is when top Clinton Township, MI dentist Dr. Ardelean will smooth the rough spots on your tooth root surfaces. This also removes bacteria, but more importantly, it creates a smooth area for your gums to reattach to. This will help regenerate gum growth in the area and reverse some of the effects of your gum disease.
- Perio Protect – Through the use of a special tray (kind of like a mouthguard), Clinton Township, MI dentist Dr. Ardelean is able to help clear your gum disease. The tray seals around your teeth and gums to deliver a medicated gel directly to your gums and even under your gums. This gel kills the bacteria that caused your gum disease and is perfect for treating your condition in between office visits.
Call our office today at (586) 465-4505 to schedule your appointment with Clinton Township, MI dentist Dr. Ardelean for gum disease treatment. You can also schedule your consultation or ask us any questions you may have using our online form. One of our staff members will be happy to get in touch with you.