Many patients can experience some symptoms of gum disease at some point in their dental health journey. But gum disease can have irreversible effects on the appearance and health of your soft tissues if left untreated. At Dental Excellence, we provide patients with comprehensive periodontal disease treatment plans to help them get back on track. Our Towson periodontist can get you your dream smile after experiencing gum disease.
Our treatment plans may include scaling and root planing, which is a deep cleaning of the pockets of your gums to remove any harmful bacteria. We offer the latest gum disease treatment in Towson, MD, for patients who suffer from this disease.
Gum Disease Treatment in Towson, MD
Dr. Ousborne and Dr. Esterson, as well as our skilled hygienists, Kim and Sarah, are trained dental professionals in periodontal disease treatment. Once gum disease develops, you need professional intervention to prevent or slow its progression.
The Stages of Gum Disease
Gum disease develops in stages. The disease starts small but can become serious if you do not seek treatment. The first stage is gingivitis. You can develop gingivitis when plaque builds up on the teeth, making the gums red, swollen, and more likely to bleed when brushing or flossing. At this stage, we can reverse most of the damage with treatment and education about good oral care at home and regular cleanings.
If you do not treat gingivitis, it develops into early periodontitis. Here, the gums start pulling away from the teeth, forming small pockets where bacteria grow. The bone supporting the teeth may begin to weaken. Brushing, flossing, and dental visits are vital to slowing the damage.
The next stage is moderate periodontitis. The pockets get deeper, and you experience more bone loss. Teeth may start to feel loose, and bad breath becomes more common. Treatment involves scaling and root planing and medications to fight infection.
The most severe stage is advanced periodontitis. At this point, the bone loss is severe, and teeth may shift or fall out. Gums may be very swollen and painful. You may even need surgery to save some of your teeth.
Restore Your Gum Health in Towson, MD
We use advanced dental technology to improve your experience and results. Digital imaging and advanced treatment options can help you to resolve gum disease symptoms, treat damage, and maintain healthy gums for the future.
We use the Piezo Ultrasonic scaler, or Cavitron, to address plaque on the surface of the teeth and gums. This device is used chairside and can effectively remove calculus above and below the gum line while also stimulating the healing process.
Cavitron: How does it work?
The tip of the Piezo Ultrasonic scaler vibrates, producing twenty to thirty thousand sound waves per second, sometimes emitting a high-pitched tone. A water jet is used along with the vibrating tip. When the sound waves combine with the water, the water molecules are blasted apart, releasing oxygen molecules into the area.
Since the bacteria that cause gum disease are anaerobic, meaning they cannot exist in the presence of oxygen, they’re destroyed by this therapeutic effect of oxygenation. This means that the bacteria that cause gum disease can be destroyed and healing of the tissues can be initiated, simply by delivering oxygen to specific sites. The Cavitron offers a more effective way to remove harmful bacteria from the teeth and gums.
The Role of Restorative Dentistry Treatments in Gum Disease Treatment
Restorative dentistry plays a significant role in treating gum disease. Advanced stages of gum disease can damage your teeth and even make them fall out. We complete restorative dentistry to help restore your smile after the disease is under control.
Our dentist may use dental crowns to protect damaged teeth. Gum disease can weaken teeth, making them more prone to fractures or decay. We can put a dental crown over the prepared teeth to provide strength and protection and prevent further damage.
With advanced gum disease, teeth may become loose because of bone loss. Crowns can help stabilize these teeth by reinforcing their structure and improving their function.
In some cases, teeth fall out due to the disease. We’ll replace them with restorative dentistry treatments such as dental implants, bridges, or dentures to restore your smile. We want to stop more damage, keep your remaining teeth in place, and replace any teeth you’ve lost.
Periodontal Disease Treatment FAQs
We are happy to answer any questions about how we treat gum disease in our Towson, MD, dentist office. Some answers to frequently asked questions about periodontal disease include:
What are the symptoms of gum disease?
Bleeding gums are the most common early-stage symptom of gum disease. Additional symptoms of gum disease include bad breath and swollen gums. You can also experience tender gums, sensitive teeth, receding gums, or longer-appearing teeth as gum disease progresses.
Our dentist and hygienist will do a periodontal disease screening during your routine oral health and wellness visits. We want to monitor the progression of your gum health so you don’t experience painful symptoms.
Can I still get gum disease if I brush and floss every day?
Yes, you can get gum disease even if you brush and floss every day. Good oral hygiene is important, but other factors can also affect your gum health.
Smoking or using tobacco reduces blood flow to the gums and makes it harder for your body to fight infection. Stress can weaken your immune system, which may allow bacteria to grow more easily. Certain medications, such as those that cause dry mouth, can increase your risk because saliva helps wash away bacteria. Harmful bacteria can grow in a dry environment.
Medical conditions like diabetes can increase the risk of gum disease. High blood sugar levels can affect how your body heals and responds to infection. Genetics also play a role. Some people are more likely to develop gum disease because it runs in their family, even if they take good care of their teeth.
How is diabetes linked to gum disease?
Diabetes and gum disease are closely connected. If you have diabetes, your body has a harder time fighting infections, including gum disease. High blood sugar levels can also make it easier for bacteria to grow in your mouth.
Gum disease can also make it harder to control your blood sugar. When your gums are infected, your body has to work harder to fight the infection, which can raise your blood sugar levels. Diabetes can be harder to manage if you have gum problems.
How can I best prevent gum disease from developing?
The best way to prevent gum disease from developing past the early stages of gingivitis is to schedule regular oral health and wellness visits with our periodontist. We may recommend that you schedule these appointments every six months or more often based on your gum health.
During these appointments, one of our highly skilled hygienists will professionally clean your teeth and gums of all plaque and tartar buildup. This buildup will eventually lead to gum disease because it harbors bacteria that eat away at your soft tissues. Beyond that, remember to brush twice a day and floss at least once a day.
Can periodontal disease cause tooth loss?
Yes, periodontal disease can cause tooth loss if you don’t treat it. While some gum inflammation is reversible and won’t lead to tooth loss, advanced gum disease can impact your teeth.
As gum disease advances, pockets form between the gums and teeth, and the bacteria break down the bone and ligaments supporting your teeth. Eventually, you can experience loose teeth and tooth loss.
But you can reduce your risk of tooth loss with regular dental visits, proper oral hygiene, and timely professional treatment.
Can a periodontist reverse periodontal disease?
It depends on how early gum disease is found. In the early stage, called gingivitis, gum disease can often be reversed. Brushing and flossing at home can remove plaque and bacteria that cause red, swollen gums.
Once gum disease becomes periodontitis, it cannot be reversed. However, it can be treated and controlled. Our Towson periodontist may recommend scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning that removes plaque and bacteria from below the gums and around the tooth roots. This treatment helps stop the infection and protect your teeth and bone.
Regular dental exams and cleanings are also important. They allow us to monitor your gum health and help prevent gum disease from getting worse.
Is periodontal disease more common in certain age groups?
Gum disease can impact patients of all age groups, but is more common among adults. The likelihood of developing this condition increases with the accumulation of plaque and tartar over time.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that nearly 60% of adults over the age of 65 experience some degree of periodontal disease. But good oral hygiene, a healthy lifestyle, and regular dental exams can help prevent periodontal disease at any age.
When is it too late to treat periodontal disease?
It’s never too late to treat gum disease, but the longer you wait, the more difficult it can be to manage. If you have periodontal disease, you should treat it as soon as possible. Long-term gum disease can cause tooth loss and receding gums.
You want to get dental care at the earliest signs of gum disease to prevent loose teeth and tooth loss. Once you have these symptoms, we may need to remove your teeth and review your restorative treatment options.
Schedule An Appointment for Gum Disease Treatment in Towson, MD
Are you concerned about your gum health and want a professional opinion? Our dental care team is highly trained and committed to upholding our office’s mission and philosophy of excellence in all things dentistry.
Please schedule an appointment with us online for a periodontal exam and treatment. You can also call Advanced Prosthodontics & Dentistry of Towson at (410) 514-6553. We look forward to seeing you soon.