In its early stages, gum disease is known as gingivitis. And in its advanced stages, during which it does irreversible damage to teeth and gums, gum disease is known as periodontitis. To avoid cultivating bacteria and fostering the decay of periodontitis, you need to know when it’s time to get professional help reining in your gum disease. Take a look at the signs you need gum disease treatment and find out what a dentist can do to remedy the issue.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
The symptoms of periodontitis look like more extreme versions of the symptoms of gingivitis. Some of the common symptoms of gum disease expressed in both gingivitis and periodontitis include discoloration of the gums, chronically bad breath, gums that are swollen and tender to the tough, and bleeding when brushing and flossing.
These are symptoms of gum disease that are unique to periodontitis:
Gum recession – as gum disease ravages the teeth and gums, the gums begin to decay and the gum line begins to recede.
- Pain – moderate to severe tooth pain that won’t go away suggest that gum disease is attacking the nerves in the teeth.
- Loose teeth – teeth that have any amount of wiggle or that appear to have shifted from their previous position is a strong indicator of gum disease.
- Tooth loss – the next step after teeth loosen, tooth loss is a sign of severe gum disease.
Gum Disease Treatment
The viable treatment options for gum disease shrink when the condition goes from gingivitis to periodontitis. The sooner you have your gum disease treated, the more options you’ll have.
These are some of the common treatments for gum disease:
- Laser gum surgery – highly tuned laser light is used to trim away disease portions of the gums, preserving healthy tissue
- Conventional gum surgery – a scalpel is used to remove diseased gum tissue.
- Osseous surgery – with the gums folded back, the dentist carefully removes tartar built up on teeth and removes diseased tissue before suturing the gums back in place.
More on Gum Disease Treatment in Brownstown, MI
Take a moment to reserve an appointment with a local dentist to learn more about your options for gum disease treatment in Brownstown, MI.