Gum disease is an infection of the gums, the tissue that holds your teeth. It’s a result of poor oral hygiene where plaque can build up and harden if left unremoved. When this is left untreated in Merrimack, NH, this can result in damage to the jawbone and tooth loss in more severe cases. At Something To Smile About, Dr. Kevin Boulard offers different periodontal disease treatments that can successfully treat different stages of periodontal disease. After a dental exam, he can determine whether you have gingivitis or other periodontal disease stages and create a custom treatment plan to help remedy your gum disease and improve your oral health.
What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis is the first and only stage where gum disease can be reversed. This is because your bones haven’t been attacked yet. Bleeding gums is one of the first noticeable symptoms experienced when you have gingivitis in Merrimack, NH. Proper oral hygiene and regular dental exams and cleanings help you treat and reverse it. Ultimately, treating periodontal disease quickly is important to your health.
Periodontal disease symptoms
Gum disease is silent, meaning there are no symptoms at all and it can be hard to know if you have it. This makes regular exams and routine dental cleanings important to diagnose it before it becomes more serious and advanced. Some symptoms of periodontal disease are:
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Bleeding gums, especially while brushing or flossing
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Painful, red, tender, or swollen gums
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Loose or separating teeth
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Gum recession
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Persistent bad breath
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Changes in your bite
When you suspect you have gum disease in Merrimack, NH, Dr. Boulard can help you treat it before it becomes more serious.
Can gum disease spread to other teeth?
If you have gum disease, it can spread to other teeth as it is in the gums, which are connected together to hold your teeth in place. This makes it important to treat gum disease as soon as you think you have it to prevent it from advancing to more detrimental stages that can lead to receding gums or tooth loss.
Can gum disease spread through kissing?
Periodontal disease isn’t contagious through casual contact. Sharing saliva and bacteria, such as kissing, with someone who has gum disease can increase the likelihood of transmitting it to their partner. People with poor oral health are more susceptible to exchanging bacteria during kissing, which can lead to gingivitis.
Gum disease treatments
Some periodontal treatments used at Something To Smile About include:
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Scaling and root planing: Scaling and root planing is a minimally invasive treatment that removes plaque and tartar near the gumline. It can create a smoother root surface, which helps us remove bacteria and create a clean surface for gums to reattach.
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Tooth restoration: When tooth loss occurs due to untreated gum disease, we can restore your smile with porcelain crowns or dental implants.
Learn how to treat gum disease in Merrimack, NH
When left untreated, gum disease continues to deteriorate your oral and overall health. At Something To Smile About in Merrimack, NH, Dr. Kevin Boulard helps patients improve their gum health with periodontal disease treatment. To learn more about these treatments, schedule an appointment today.