If you care about your smile, it can be incredibly intimidating to hear from your dentist that you are living with gum disease. However, by understanding what gum disease is and your treatment options, you may be able to rest a little easier. Read on to learn about gum disease, and how your dentist can help. 

Understanding Gum Disease

What Is It?

• Gum disease (periodontal disease) is typically from gum inflammation (gingivitis).

Oral bacteria fueled by the simple starches and sugars can stick to your teeth after a meal. Bacteria consume the carbohydrates and multiply. The process makes acids that can dissolve dental enamel to form cavities and toxins that can irritate the gum tissue. 

Food particles tend to gather along your gums, and bacteria move with them. Bacteria causes inflammation, infection, and swelling. Over time, the gum tissue recedes from the crown of the tooth, while exposing your root to bacteria. The bacteria can also damage your socket and cause the the tooth to fall out.

How Is It Treated? 

While there are multiple stages of gum disease ranging from simple inflammation to tooth loss, each stage of the disease is likely treatable. If you have gingivitis, your dentist may recommend a deep professional cleaning followed by a more careful oral hygiene regimen at home. 

On the other hand, if you have a case of gum disease, you may require a treatment called “scaling and root planing” or pocket reduction surgery. Scaling and root planing involve scaling the surface of the teeth above and below the gumline, then smoothing the crown to prevent future bacteria. Pocket reduction surgery can either be performed manually or with the help of a laser. It’s designed to remove diseased tissue and bacteria, which helps teeth heal better. 

Whether you are living with gum disease symptoms, or you want to stay on top of your dental health, the team at Augusto S. Fojas, DDS in Westerville, Ohio, can help. In addition to offering comprehensive dental cleanings and cosmetic services, Dr. Fojas can also help with laser dental treatments for gum disease and implants to restore missing teeth. To learn more about how this dentist can help, visit his website, or give his team a call at (614) 882-0275.