Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection in the gums that occurs due to unattended dental plaque in the mouth. Bacteria found in plaque helps jumpstart gum disease in the mouth. Additionally, contributing factors that encourage gum disease include unhealthy hygiene habits and neglecting to get professional treatment when needed.
At Rejuvenation Dental Studio, our Falls Church dentist, Dr. Dang, can help prevent and treat existing gum disease in the mouth. Learning how to detect symptoms of gum disease can help prevent further damage and serious repercussions.
The Stages of Gum Disease
There are three stages of gum disease known as gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease and is easy to treat. However, if left unattended, it can quickly advance to a more serious stage and may eventually require surgery or tooth extraction.
If gum disease is given the freedom to spread and progress into periodontitis, it will eventually destroy healthy tissues around the teeth. Once this occurs, the infection will cause the bone to weaken and the gums to pull away from the teeth, creating periodontal pockets where bacteria can fester and spread.
Periodontal disease can quickly turn into a serious dental problem and may eventually lead to life-changing symptoms if not treated in time. Bad breath and tooth loss are just two of the consequences of gum disease. However, it can also have a negative impact on your overall health and become a gateway for life-threatening diseases such as stroke or cardiac arrest.
Therefore, taking care of your oral health and establishing healthy, daily hygiene habits will help ensure that your mouth and body remain healthy throughout the year.
If you do have gum disease, our Falls Church dentist, Dr. Dang, and her skilled staff are able to get you the treatment you need. At Rejuvenation Dental Studio, we can help restore your dental health and get you back on track!
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Being aware of the current state of your mouth can help you keep track of unhealthy symptoms. As mentioned, gum disease can range from mild to severe. When identified in its earliest stage, our Falls Church dentist is able to stop the progression of the condition and reverse some of the oral health consequences.
Prevention and education are critical to protecting smiles from the lasting consequences of gum disease. In addition to routine dental exams and cleanings with Dr. Dang, it’s important for patients to take diligent care of their gums at home. This includes proper flossing as well using a rubber dental pick to remove plaque trapped in the space between the teeth and gums.
If you notice any of the following symptoms, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with our Falls Church dentist as soon as possible:
- Bad breath
- Bleeding
- Shifting or loose teeth
- Red, tender, or swollen gums
- Receding gums
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
At Rejuvenation Dental Studio, our Falls Church dentist offers non-surgical treatment options that can help patients get their dental health back on track.
However, it’s important to note that treatment differs from patient to patient. Dr. Dang must first perform a thorough examination to determine the state of your mouth. Once a diagnosis has been made, Dr. Dang will be able to make the proper recommendations on treatment.
Non-surgical treatment options for gum disease include:
Scaling and Planing: Scaling and planing is recommended when gum disease has started to damage the healthy tissue in the gums. Scaling is used to remove tartar, plaque, and toxins that have formed beneath and above the gumline. By smoothing out the rough spots on the roof surfaces, planing helps prevent gum disease from progressing.
Arestin: In order to completely stop gum disease in its tracks, Dr. Dang offers ARESTIN®. This product is an effective antibiotic treatment that comes in powder form. Once Dr. Dang has finished the scaling and planing procedure, ARESTIN® is placed inside infected periodontal pockets in order to help stop the infection altogether.
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with gum disease or believe you may have a gum disease infection, contact Dr. Dang in Falls Church, VA. Our dedicated dentist and staff are here to help get you back on track! Your health is our priority!