Are your gums sensitive to hot and cold foods and beverages? Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth? You may have gingivitis or gum inflammation. Over time, gingivitis can become periodontitis or gum disease. Gum disease occurs when harmful bacteria build up between teeth and on the gum tissue.
Bacteria inflame and irritate the gum tissue. Over time, as bacteria inflame the gum tissue, that inflammation can spread to other parts of the body. It is important to receive periodontal disease treatment in our Sarasota, FL, dental office before inflammation spreads. Under professional care, you can restore your gum health. In addition to providing patients with gum disease treatment, we offer restorative dentistry treatments to the public in Sarasota, Florida.
Stages of Periodontal Disease
There are two key stages of gum disease, each of which can have a progression of symptoms.
Gingivitis: This is the first stage of gum disease that is characterized by red, swollen or irritated gums that may bleed when brushing your teeth. It is typically caused by bacteria in the plaque that builds up around your gums. Gingivitis can usually be treated conservatively with success to avoid further infection and damage.
Periodontitis: If gingivitis is left untreated, it will develop into periodontitis, the advanced stage of gum disease with complex symptoms including receding gums and loose teeth. In this stage of gum disease, the bacteria in the plaque actually cause the gums to become infected which will result in damage to the soft tissue and bone that support your teeth. Depending on the extent of damage or loss of tissue, we may recommend seeing a local periodontist to restore gum health.
What are the Signs of Gum Disease?
There are a variety of symptoms that may be a sign that you have gum disease. It is very important that you recognize all these signs. If you experience any symptoms of gum disease chronically, it is important to schedule an appointment in our office to get an evaluation. We can help diagnose and treat gum disease in its earliest stages to prevent it from progressing. Common symptoms of gum disease include:
- Gum Inflammation: Swollen, red, and irritated gums are a sign of gum inflammation. This is often the first clue that you have gingivitis and need gum disease treatment. Healthy gums should appear pink and firm. They should not ache or hurt in any way.
- Bleeding Gums: If you gums bleed during brushing or flossing, this is a signs of gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease. Despite what many people believe, healthy gums should not bleed with regular oral care.
- Persistent Bad Breath: Bacteria in the mouth release toxins that can cause chronic bad breath, known as halitosis. Gum disease is caused by bacteria that are present in the mouth. Without regular oral care, patients can develop chronic halitosis.
- Receding Gums: As gum disease progresses, the gums may start to pull away from the teeth, creating pockets where bacteria can accumulate. The bacteria will “eat away” at the gums, exposing the teeth roots.
- Loose or Shifting Teeth: Advanced stages of gum disease can result in the loss of bone support. Your teeth will begin to loosen and shift. Eventually, without treatment, they will fall out or require extraction.
- Sensitive Teeth: Progressive gum disease can cause sensitive teeth for many reasons. This oral disease causes receding gums which expose teeth roots, tooth decay, and weakened enamel. These side effects all cause your teeth to become sensitive.
If you notice any of these signs, contact our office. We will evaluate your smile and recommend the best treatment method for your gingivitis or gum disease. The sooner you notice these signs and come into our office, the sooner we can begin treatment. If treatment is started early enough, we can reverse your gum disease and prevent it from redeveloping. Gum disease progresses very rapidly, so it is crucial to seek treatment as soon as possible.
Treating Gum Disease in Sarasota, FL
We provide deep cleaning treatments for patients who already notice signs of gum disease. Our dental hygienists use the AIRFLOW system at regular visits to remove plaque and tartar. Plaque is a bacterial film that turns into tartar and calculus once hardened. Removing tartar and calculus from the teeth and gums at home is more difficult, which is why routine cleanings are important.
Scaling and root planing is a great deep-cleaning treatment for patients with bacterial buildup on their gums and tooth roots. Dr. Benson or a dental hygienist will perform this non-surgical deep cleaning procedure to treat gum disease. Scaling and root planing can treat the moderate stage of periodontal disease known as gingivitis and the early phase of periodontitis. The process involves two main steps: scaling and root planing.
- Scaling: During scaling, your dentist will use special dental tools to remove plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces. He will gently etch away the tartar from both above and below the gumline. This thorough cleaning eliminates bacterial deposits and helps reduce inflammation.
- Root Planing: Root planing focuses on smoothing the tooth roots to prevent further buildup of bacteria. It also helps encourage the gums to reattach to the teeth. This process removes bacteria, promotes healing, and helps reduce the chances of another infection.
If you need it, we can use oral conscious dental sedation to ensure that you are comfortable throughout your appointment. The procedure can be uncomfortable for some patients depending on how much tartar is present in the mouth.
It is very important that Dr. Benson removes all signs of bacteria, plaque, and tartar from the roots of the teeth and in the gum pockets. This will create an environment where the gum tissue can heal. More importantly, it will prevent the infection from spreading into the blood.
Post-treatment, we advise patients on how to properly care for their oral hygiene. We will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor and maintain periodontal health. Scaling and root planing is a proactive approach to prevent the progression of gum disease and maintain optimal oral health.
Patients with advanced stages of gum disease may require more extensive gum disease treatment. Dr. Benson will refer these patients to a specialist. They may need oral surgery to restore their gum tissue.
Schedule an Appointment for Periodontal Disease Treatment in Sarasota, FL
Early treatment and prevention are key to periodontal therapy. Call 941-270-9755 or request a dental appointment with us online if you notice any changes in your gum health. Please let us know if you have questions at your next dental visit; we’re here to help.