Gum Disease Treatment
Portland, OR
Gum Disease Treatment provided by Dr. Eddie Ramirez
and Dr. Evan Campbell
in Portland, OR at Lombard Smiles
 The primary objective of gum disease treatment is to meticulously cleanse the pockets around the teeth, preventing harm to the adjacent gum tissue and bone. Our dentists work to remove all the plaque to prevent recurrence and relieve you from discomfort. You can visit our clinic at Lombard Smiles for a personalized approach to your dental care.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, periodontal disease, or periodontitis, is inflammation and infection of the gum tissue and the surrounding bones. Gums are tissues surrounding the teeth and holding them into place. Almost half of all adults in the United States have some form of the disease. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss, and its main cause is poor oral hygiene, which leads to bacteria buildup in your mouth.
Stages of Gum Disease
Bleeding
Bleeding is the earliest sign of periodontal disease and is often present in a pink tinge on your toothbrush. You may also notice bleeding after you floss or when eating.
Gingivitis
This stage only affects the soft tissues of the gums, and one typically experiences painful, swollen gums. Gingivitis may result in consistent bad breath and a secretion of plaque along the gum line.
Early periodontitis
It is the more advanced periodontal disease and, if allowed to progress, may cause damage to the underlying bones. The bacteria seep beneath your gums and affect the supporting bone. At this stage, the plaque hardens to tartar, which results in tooth decay.
Moderate periodontitis
At this point, the teeth begin to deteriorate and decay. They also become loose and wiggly. The underlying jaw bones become affected, too. You may also experience foul-tasting discharge from your mouth at this stage.
Advanced periodontitis
This is a severe form of periodontal disease, and one may experience severe pain and loosening of teeth. Progressive periodontitis results in a painful abscess resulting from bacteria invasion of the gums beneath.
Symptoms and Signs of Gum Disease
Many people are unaware of the signs and symptoms of periodontal disease. Some of the symptoms include bleeding gums when you brush or floss your teeth, red, tender, and swollen gums, loosening of your teeth, foul-smelling breath, and increased teeth sensitivity. Additionally you may note pus between your teeth and pain while chewing food.
Causes and Risk Factors of Gum Disease
Periodontal diseases result from bacteria buildup in the mouth tissues, resulting in inflammation. Poor flossing and brushing habits allow bacteria to build up on the teeth. Prolonged exposure to bacteria forms plaque, which hardens to form tartar. Only dental professionals or dental hygienists can remove the tartar. The buildup of dental plaque is the number one cause of periodontal diseases. However, some factors may predispose you to get the disease, such as smoking, diabetes, hormonal changes, heart disease, and autoimmune diseases.
Importance of Treating Gum Disease
It is crucial to contact and visit your dentist if you have any gum disease symptoms. The earlier the detection, the more the risk of tooth decay and loss is reduced. Advanced periodontal diseases can be treated with diligent treatment and consistent oral hygiene. Periodontal diseases are generally symptomatic in the early stages, and hence, many people overlook the long-term consequences. Maintaining healthy gums protects the tooth from loosening or decay. Gum treatment habits such as deep cleaning are beneficial, and this goes beyond gum healing and tooth protection.
Common Gum Disease Treatment Methods
Periodontal disease treatments are among the most commonly performed dental procedures. These dental treatment procedures can be surgical or non-surgical, depending on the stage of gum disease and your oral and general health. These treatments can be done by either a periodontist or a dentist, with the primary goal of therapy being to thoroughly clean the pockets around the teeth to prevent damage to the surrounding gum tissues.
Scaling aims to remove tartar from your tooth surface, and below the gum line, a laser or ultrasonic instrument can be used during the scaling procedure. After scaling, root planing smooths the root surfaces and helps to prevent further tartar buildup.
Bone grafting is done for advanced periodontal disease that has destroyed the bone around the tooth. The bone graft works to provide support to the teeth and provide a platform for regrowth.
Maintaining Gum Health after Treatment
The first step of gum disease management is dental treatment. The second is maintaining healthy gums after the periodontal treatment. Keeping healthy gums helps prevent gum disease relapse and hastens the healing process. Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly is the number one weapon for maintaining healthy gums. Ensure that you attend all follow-up appointments for frequent dental cleaning and examinations.
Preventing Gum Diseases
Gum disease can be prevented with proper home care and frequent dentist visits for teeth cleaning. Brushing your teeth regularly to remove plaque and food debris between the gums. Mouthwash reduces plaque and removes any remaining food particles that brushing left out. Ensure you get an annual comprehensive periodontal evaluation to help identify the early symptoms of gum disease.
FAQs About Gum Disease Treatment in Portland, OR
What Are the Early Signs of Gum Diseases?
The early stage of gum disease only affects the soft tissues in the gum, and the signs are mild with no discomfort. Some signs one can notice include red, tender, and swollen gums, increasing spaces between the teeth, bleeding, and bad breath.
Can Gum Disease Be Reversed?
Yes. It can be reversed when the dental disease is detected and treated early. Proper oral hygiene practices such as brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing daily go a long way in preventing and reversing periodontal disease. The use of antiseptic mouthwash is critical in reversing dental disease.
How Long Does Gum Disease Treatment Take?
Periodontal disease can be reversed within two to three weeks if given prompt care and treatment. Treatment of dental diseases starts with understanding the problem. Although there is no known cure for periodontal diseases, proper management can prevent disease progression.
What Are the Success Rates of Gum Disease Treatments?
Gum diseases have an impressive success rate that, in some instances up to 95 percent. The success rate depends on the type of periodontal procedure and aftercare maintenance.
Can Children Get Gum Disease?
Yes, children can get a mild form of gum disease called gingivitis. The treatment depends on the age, severity of the damage, medical history, and the disease progression of the child. Thorough cleaning can treat mild gingivitis, and root scaling and regenerative treatments can be done in advanced cases.
Contact Us Today!
We provide gum treatment services such as root planing and bone grafting at Lombard Smiles. Feel free to call us at (503) 206-0550 for more information. |
