According to a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of two adults in America suffers from gum disease. It may not sound like it, but this condition is easily preventable and treatable, as long as the right precautionary measures are in place. With an experienced and highly-trained dentist by your side, even if gum disease has infected your mouth, you’ll be able to reverse the symptoms to restore your oral health. The key is to treat it sooner rather than later. Read on to learn more about gum disease treatment and why it’s important to tackle the issue as soon as you notice the signs.
Signs of Gum Disease
Many patients aren’t aware of the symptoms of gum disease, which keeps them from being able to tell when they need to visit their dentist. By knowing what to look out for at home, you’ll be able to spot the warning signs early and prevent the condition from causing permanent damage to your mouth. Here are some common symptoms of the disease:
- Red, swollen, inflamed, and tender gums.
- General oral pain.
- Bleeding while brushing or flossing.
- Receding gums that are pulling away from your teeth.
- Loose teeth.
- Pockets of pus and plaque forming between your gums and teeth.
- Chronic bad breath.
- Oral sores.
At the first sight of any of these symptoms, immediately contact your dentist so they can develop a treatment plan for you.
Gum Disease Treatment
Depending on the severity of your case, your dentist may suggest a variety of treatment options. For more mild cases, more frequent hygiene appointments and a more thorough at-home dental hygiene routine can help reverse the effects. If the disease is more serious, a scaling and root planing appointment, also known as a deep cleaning, paired with antibiotic therapy should help your body defend and fight off harmful oral bacteria. Finally, soft tissue laser treatment can also provide you with relief from your symptoms while effectively and efficiently clearing damaging bacteria from your mouth.
The Importance of Treating the Disease Early
The key to treating gum disease is to do it early on, before the case becomes too severe to reverse. There are two stages of this condition called gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis can be completely treated with help from your dentist, but periodontitis can only be treated to provide you with relief from your symptoms, not to reverse the disease completely. When the disease advances and is left to progress out of your control, it can increase your risk of developing a variety of medical conditions and health problems, including:
- Alzheimer’s
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Respiratory infection
These are only a few conditions that have been directly linked to gum disease in countless clinical studies. With the proper at-home maintenance and a gum disease treatment plan formulated by a trained professional, you can increase your odds of beating the disease and preserve your smile in its natural condition.
About the Author
Dr. Wael Kassem is passionate about providing his patients with high-quality preventive dental care that helps them preserve their natural smiles. That’s why he offers three different gum disease treatment plans, including scaling and root planing, antibiotic therapy, and soft tissue laser therapy. He works with his patients to help find the best possible treatment solution that will ease their discomfort and restore their oral health. For questions or to schedule a consultation for gum disease therapy, visit iSmile Dental Arts’ website or call 856-818-9998.
