Periodontal Disease
Gum disease or periodontitis strikes at the soft tissue in your mouth. An experienced periodontal dentist resolves your gum infection, stopping the pain at its source and repairing the damage to your teeth and gums. Don’t let a gum infection go untreated, as it only gets worse. Call the experts at Stamford dental CT for complete and painless gum disease treatment.
Gum disease, also known as periodontitis or periodontal disease, is often due to an infection in your gum tissue. A gum abscess or infection is usually caused by poor brushing habits or the lack of a dentist’s care. In extreme cases, gum disease can lead to tooth loss because your gums hold the teeth in place.
Because gum infections can be quite painful, have them addressed as soon as possible to avoid letting the situation get worse. The good news is that gum infections are treatable with periodontics treatments, using the right tools and expertise. Our Stamford, CT dentists at Stamford Dental Center is close by and ready to help you move past the pain and inconvenience of gum disease.
The Symptoms of Gum Disease
The pain from gum disease often is the first sign that something’s wrong. A gum infection can result in serious and unpleasant side effects if you don’t have it treated completely at a nearby Stamford family dentist. Your dentist determines if you have a gum infection and then recommends the proper treatment. The most common symptoms of gum disease include:
- Swollen, red gums
- Tenderness in the gums
- Bleeding when you brush or floss
- Mouth sores
- Bad breath that persists even after brushing or using mouthwash
- Receding gum lines that expose more of your teeth
- Loose or wiggly teeth
- Tooth sensitivity and pain
You may notice only one or two symptoms, not all at once. But any pain in your gums is a good reason to visit your professional periodontist. Dentists in Stamford, CT dental center are experienced in gum infection treatments.
Gum Disease Treatment
Almost all gum infections are treatable. Chances are your dentist will opt for a non-surgical procedure first, but if your condition is serious or advanced, you may need a surgical intervention as a gum disease treatment. Your gum treatment options include:
- Oral antibiotics. Antibiotic treatment is the least invasive option for treating gum infections. Penicillin and amoxicillin are the two most commonly used antibiotics for treating gum infections. You can expect a recovery time of between one and two weeks. If your dentist prescribes antibiotics, you must take them for the entire recommended time, even if your symptoms disappear.
- Antibiotic gels. Gels that contain antibiotics are a topical treatment option for gum abscesses. They treat mild to moderate forms of gum disease. In tougher cases, the antibiotic gel is injected under your gums to get right to work where it’s needed.
- Root planing and scaling. Scaling is the removal of all hardened tartar and plaque around the edges of your teeth, including below your gum line. After scaling, your dentist smooths out the surface of your teeth to help the gums reattach to each tooth and to prevent bacteria from forming plaque, the first step toward tartar. This is called root planing.
- Flap surgery. This oral surgery, used for moderate to severe cases of gum disease, involves separating the gum tissue from the tooth so the dentist can access the roots of your teeth and remove the infection. If the dentist has to remove enough gum tissue, you may need a gum graft. Your dentist takes tissue from the roof of your mouth to add to the area where the infected gums were removed.
- Bone grafting. Bone grafts help your body to grow new bone. Your dentist places a small, new piece of bone — either from your body or from an outside source — under your gums, and the cells naturally seal together. In periodontal infections, bone grafting restores the weakened bones that hold your teeth in place.
- Guided tissue regeneration (GTR). Guided tissue regeneration retrains the gum tissue to cover the teeth and regenerate lost bone. GTR sometimes involves dental implants to help guide the tissue as it attaches to the teeth.
Recovering from Receding Gums Treatment
After your dentist at Stamford Dental Arts treats your gum infection, follow his instructions and avoid flossing or using toothpicks around any treated teeth. Your dentist may also recommend that you use a prescription-grade antimicrobial mouthwash to prevent further infections. It’s normal to experience some swelling or sensitivity in your gums and teeth after gum disease treatment, but these symptoms don’t last long. You may experience:
- Bleeding gums
- Inflammation or swelling in treated areas
- Sensitivity to hot and cold foods and liquids
- Throbbing or aching of your gums
These symptoms resolve within a few days of your treatment. Check with your dentist if they persist past a week. Continued pain may signal another infection.
Get the Best Gum Treatment
You must address your gum disease quickly to minimize damage and maintain the health of your teeth and gums. Without treatment, the infection can spread quickly and cause a loss of bone density or more serious side effects. While the treatments may seem uncomfortable, they’re essentially painless when you have the procedures done at Stamford Dental Arts because they offer sedation dentistry.
Your dentists in Stamford are experts in diagnosing and treating gum disease. Contact us today to set up an appointment and learn about your treatment options.
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