Do you notice blood on the bristles of your toothbrush when you clean your teeth in the morning? If it happens continuously, you should see a periodontist in Orlando. Did you know that when your gums bleed, it can be a sign of gum disease?
The mildest form of gum disease is called gingivitis. If this isn’t treated, the infection can spread below the gum line and even extend down to your jawbone. When the infection turns severe, it will lead to periodontitis. How is gum disease treated? Can you solve the problem yourself?
What Makes Gingivitis and Periodontitis Different?
Gingivitis precedes periodontitis. The former is best described as gum inflammation. Although the symptoms of gingivitis are only mild, you should not ignore them because if gingivitis isn’t treated, it will lead to more severe complications. Luckily, gingivitis can be reversed.
However, you need to see your dentist, so you’ll know what to do next. Studies show that you can reverse gum inflammation by brushing and flossing your teeth daily and having regular professional checkups and teeth cleanings. In gingivitis, your teeth are firmly intact within the sockets. There is no damage to your bone tissues at this stage.
Periodontitis
When you have periodontitis, you’ll notice gum pockets forming between your gum tissues and teeth. These tiny spaces are where food debris, plaque, and bacteria collect.
Unfortunately, bacteria from plaque will release toxins that break down both connective tissues and bone that keep your teeth securely in place. As the disease advances, the pockets will grow deeper, and more damage is done to your gum tissues and bone. Over time, you could lose your teeth.
Can You Treat Gum Disease by Yourself?
The main goal of treatment is to stop the infection. If it’s just gingivitis, the good news is you can reverse it if you practice proper dental hygiene. It’s also critical that you see your dentist and have your teeth checked and cleaned. But, for advanced-stage gum disease, you need a periodontist to treat you. The treatment plan will depend on the severity of the disease.
How Is Gum Disease Treated?
Deep Cleaning – This type of cleaning differs from routine teeth cleaning because the latter only cleans the visible portion of your teeth above the gum line. Meanwhile, deep cleaning is more extensive as it goes beyond the gum line. The instruments used in deep cleaning are also different. Another term for deep cleaning is scaling and root planing.
Scaling is scraping off hard tartar on your teeth’s surface and below the gum line. It is followed by root planing, where the rough areas of your roots are smoothened to discourage plaque and tartar from reattaching to the roots.
Contact Our Periodontist in Orlando Today!
If you think you have gum disease, see your dentist for an oral exam. At Star Dental, we offer superior quality dental care to ensure you get the smile you deserve. Our treatments aim to boost your oral health. We value professionalism, compassion, service, and respect. Contact us today for an appointment.