Have you ever been brushing or flossing only to find a spot of pink on your brush or in the sink? Bleeding gums are a common sign of gum disease, a condition that about half of all adults in the U.S. will experience at some point in their lives. Just because it’s common, however, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get treated. At LuxSmile Family Dentistry of Carrollton, Dr. Ton can easily restore your gums back to perfect condition.
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a bacterial infection that affects your gum tissue as well as the structures keeping your teeth anchored to your gums. Typically caused by poor oral hygiene, gum disease starts with mild symptoms like bleeding or puffy gums, but it can quickly progress into more severe issues like loose teeth and even tooth loss.
The bacteria associated with gum disease create pockets in between your teeth and your gums. Through these pockets, bacteria may enter your bloodstream and wreak havoc on other areas of your body, causing problems like:
If gum disease is caught in the early stages, it’s fairly easy to treat, and symptoms can even typically be reversed. However, it’s important to come in and see Dr. Ton if any of the following signs sound familiar to you:
The main goal of gum disease treatment is to remove bacteria from the gums and prevent destruction of bone and tissue. Depending on your individual case, Dr. Ton may employ one or both of the following treatments:
Scaling involves cleaning below the gumline to remove bacteria. Then, Dr. Ton will perform a root planing procedure, where she will smooth the rough surfaces on the roots of your teeth. These areas are where bacteria love to build up, so this dental deep cleaning is a great way to eliminate them.
Dr. Ton may prescribe oral antibiotics in pill form to take over the course of several days. She may also place antibiotic gels directly in the gumline to get rid of bacteria. A combination of the two might be used. Again, it all depends on your individual case.