What is gum disease?
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an inflammatory condition that affects your teeth, the supporting soft tissue, and the jawbone.
The common condition often begins as gingivitis, which is a bacterial infection of your gum tissue. As the infection progresses, it spreads to the gum pockets between your teeth and becomes more complicated to treat.
Common risk factors of gum disease are:
- Gingivitis
- Poor oral hygiene
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Hormonal changes
- Recreational drug use
- Obesity
- Inadequate nutrition
- Genetic history
- Certain medications
- Cancer
- Chronic autoimmune diseases
It’s important to schedule regular dental exams and practice good oral hygiene to reduce the risk of developing gum disease. Left untreated, gum disease has the potential to destroy your connective tissue and jawbone, shift teeth, and cause tooth loss. It’s the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
What are symptoms of gum disease?
Gum disease may show little to no symptoms until it reaches more advanced stages and causes your teeth to separate from the gums. However, some symptoms of gum disease include:
- Swollen, tender, receding, or bleeding gums
- Bright red or purple gums
- Bad breath
- Pus
- Loss of teeth or loose teeth
- Painful chewing or change in bite
- Gaps developing between teeth
If you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to contact Adirondack Dental Group to receive a comprehensive examination and determine a diagnosis.
What are treatments for gum disease?
The type of treatment you need depends on the condition of your teeth, gums, and jawbone. The team completes a comprehensive gum disease exam prior to selecting the best treatment option with you.
Adirondack Dental Group is experienced in both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for gum disease. Nonsurgical treatment options include scaling, root planing, and antibiotics.
When nonsurgical treatment options haven’t worked or simply aren’t possible, surgical treatment options include:
- Soft tissue grafts
- Bone grafts
- Dental implants
- Pocket elimination surgery
- Guided tissue regeneration
- Tissue stimulating proteins
To learn more about gum disease treatment and to schedule an initial consultation at Adirondack Dental Group, call the office today.
