Gum disease is a gum infection caused by poor oral hygiene. When it’s left untreated, plaque builds up and hardens, causing damage to the jaw and can even result in tooth loss. At Something to Smile About in Merrimack, NH, Dr. Kevin Boulard offers gum disease treatments to patients in all stages of periodontal disease, including the first stage, gingivitis.
What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and can be reversed at this point because the bones have not been affected. If you notice bleeding on your gums, this may be the first sign of gingivitis. It’s always good to practice oral hygiene as well as regular dental exams and teeth cleanings at our office in Merrimack, NH, to help treat and reverse this stage successfully.
What are the symptoms of gum disease?
Gum disease can be silent, which means there are no warning signs until it becomes more advanced. The five early signs of gingivitis include:
1. Bleeding gums, especially when you brush or floss
2. Irritated, swollen, red, or tender gums
3. Receding gums
4. Constant bad breath
5. Changes in your bite
At our Merrimack, NH, location, our professional dental team offers a gum disease treatment plan for patients of every age.
What causes gum disease?
Gum disease can be a result of many different reasons, including:
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Diet: If you consume a lot of surgery foods and beverages, you can significantly increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Periodontal disease progresses much faster with a poor diet.
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Genetics: Some patients can be genetically susceptible to getting gum disease despite efforts to care for their teeth and gums.
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Hormonal changes: Fluctuations in your hormones, especially during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause can make your gums more sensitive and more likely to develop gum disease.
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Poor oral hygiene: When you don’t brush or floss properly, plaque can turn into tartar. This buildup on and between your teeth can only be removed at a deep dental cleaning.
How we determine your gum disease stage
Periodontal disease has four stages: gingivitis, slight periodontal disease, moderate periodontal disease, and advanced periodontal disease. At Something to Smile About, Dr. Boulard uses a small probe to measure infected pockets around or under your teeth. Digital x-rays help to successfully identify any deterioration resulting from infection. Depending on the severity of your gum disease, we determine which type of periodontal gum disease treatment should be used. Early treatment minimizes damage to your oral health and reduces your chance of tooth loss.
Gum disease treatments
The most common periodontal treatments we use at our Merrimack, NH, dental office include:
1. Scaling and root planing: This is the least invasive treatment for gum disease. Scaling and root planing removes plaque and tartar near the gum line and creates a smoother root surface. This helps our periodontal team to best remove bacteria so your gums will reattach again.
2. Tooth restoration: When tooth loss occurs because of gum disease, we offer different restorative dentistry options, such as crowns or dental implants to restore your smile.
Learn more about gum disease treatment near me
When left untreated, gum disease can be a serious problem that will aid in the deterioration of your oral and overall health. At Something to Smile About in Merrimack, NH, Dr. Kevin Boulard helps patients to improve their gum health with different periodontal disease treatments. To learn more about gum disease treatment, contact our dental office today to schedule an appointment.