Gum treatment in Long Island,

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is quite common; it is estimated that almost half of Americans over age 30 have some form of gum disease. Many studies link gum disease to problems with overall health. People with periodontal disease have a higher risk of developing heart disease, stroke and respiratory infections.

What Is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is an infection which causes gum inflammation. It is the earliest stage of gum disease which affects the outside of your gums, but reversing gum disease in this stage is possible. Poor oral hygiene is the main cause of gingivitis as built up plaque and tartar irritate the gums. Gingivitis is preventable with good at-home oral hygiene and regular dental exams and professional teeth cleanings. Other risk factors include a poor diet and certain medications and diseases. Smokers are also twice as likely to develop gum disease. Fortunately, there is a gingivitis cure.

What Are Typical Gingivitis Symptoms?

Generally, you won’t notice too many obvious symptoms of gingivitis. However, if you suspect something may be wrong, pay close attention to the following signs. You may notice:

• Puffy gums
• Your gums appear red, not a healthy pink
• Tender gums
• Gums which bleed when you brush your teeth

Some people exhibit no signs of gingivitis, so regular dental exams are important for gum health. Others ignore the signs of gingivitis because they believe bleeding gums are normal. It's important to call our office for an appointment for gingivitis treatment if you do notice these gingivitis symptoms, since the disease can progress if left untreated. Getting gingivitis treatment is your only chance of reversing gum disease in its earliest stage.

What Are the More Advanced Gum Disease Symptoms?

More advanced gum disease symptoms include:

• Foul taste in your mouth
• Receding gums
• Persistent bad breath
• Loose Teeth
• Visible pockets of pus between teeth
• A change in your bite

Ignoring these signs of gum disease may lead to eventual tooth loss as the structures holding your teeth in place deteriorate. Gum disease is the main reason adults over age 30 lose teeth. The good news is that it’s preventable with proper treatment. 

What Are the Stages of Periodontal Disease?

Gingivitis

This is the mildest form of the disease. Since there is a gingivitis cure, it's important to get treatment right away. Gingivitis can advance to periodontitis if you do nothing.

Periodontitis

With periodontitis, your gums start to pull away from the teeth. Your gums will develop periodontal pockets in the space under the gum line. These pockets trap plaque and infection-causing bacteria. Plaque can reach the roots and your jawbone, causing severe problems that require a dental visit to fix.

Advanced Periodontitis

With advanced periodontitis, you develop painful abscesses under your gums. Your tooth's support structures suffer permanent damage, so your teeth become loose and shift in your mouth. They may fall out.

Is There a Gingivitis Cure?

A dental teeth cleaning will remove the plaque and tartar irritating your gums. You'll learn how to brush and floss more effectively at home to prevent gingivitis from recurring. Professional cleanings are the easiest and least invasive gum disease treatment. If tartar (hardened plaque) is causing your gingivitis symptoms, there is no home gingivitis treatment that will work. Only a dentist or a dental hygienist can remove tartar using special instruments.

How Do Dentists Treat Peritonitis?

The least invasive option is a deep clean, also called a scaling and root planing procedure. Your dentist will remove plaque from underneath your gums. Next, he or she will smooth out the roots of your teeth so plaque has a more difficult time attaching to them. It also allows the gums to reattach to the teeth easier. Your dentist will also most likely prescribe antibiotics or an antibacterial mouth rinse. If this is not successful, surgery is the next option. There is flap surgery to make the gums fit tightly around the teeth and gum grafting to replace gums which have shrunk and left the tooth roots exposed. While there is no gum disease cure if you have peritonitis, your dentist can stop the disease from progressing.

Is There a Cure for Gum Disease?

There is a gingivitis cure, but no cure for more advanced gum disease. Nevertheless, your dentist can treat periodontitis and prevent it from getting worse and doing more damage. This is why it's essential to see one of our dentists to treat gum disease in Long Island as soon as you notice any of the signs of gingivitis. Call our dental office today to schedule your appointment. When we treat gum disease in Long Island, our goal is to make your gums look as healthy and attractive as your teeth.