Are your gums red, swollen, or bleeding when you brush? You might be experiencing the early signs of gum disease. At Garfield Dental in Traverse City, MI, we’re committed to helping you maintain healthy gums and teeth through comprehensive periodontal therapy.
Gum disease affects millions of Americans, but with early detection and proper treatment, we can prevent it from causing serious damage to your smile. Our experienced dental team offers effective treatments for all stages of gum disease, from mild gingivitis to advanced periodontitis.
Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy mouth. When your gums are compromised, your entire oral health is at risk. Our gentle, thorough periodontal treatments can help restore your gum health and protect your teeth for years to come.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It’s typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—to build up on the teeth and harden. When plaque builds up, it can spread below the gum line, making teeth harder to clean.
At this point, only a dental professional can remove the plaque and stop the gum disease process. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to sore, bleeding gums, painful chewing problems, and even tooth loss.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease. It causes the gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort at this stage. Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene. The good news is that gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care.
Signs of gingivitis include:
- Red or swollen gums
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing
- Bad breath that won’t go away
- Tender gums
- Receding gums
Early intervention is key to preventing gingivitis from progressing to more serious forms of gum disease. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings can help catch gingivitis before it advances.
Periodontitis
When gingivitis is not treated, it can advance to periodontitis. In this stage, the inner layer of the gum and bone pull away from the teeth and form pockets. These small spaces between teeth and gums collect debris and can become infected.
As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. In this stage, teeth can become loose and may eventually fall out or need to be removed.
Signs of periodontitis include:
- Gums that have pulled away from your teeth
- Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
- Changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- Pus between your teeth and gums
- Persistent bad breath or bad taste in your mouth
Available Periodontal Disease Treatments
At Garfield Dental, Dr. Kristen Guptill offers a range of treatments for gum disease, tailored to the severity of your condition:
Professional Dental Cleaning
Professional dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar that can’t be addressed with regular brushing and flossing. Our hygienists use specialized tools to clean all tooth surfaces, including along and slightly below the gum line, and polish your teeth to prevent future buildup. These routine cleanings, typically recommended every six months, are essential for preventing gingivitis or catching it early before it progresses to more serious gum disease.
Scaling and Root Planing
This deep-cleaning procedure goes beyond regular cleanings to address more advanced gum disease. We remove plaque and tartar from below the gum line (scaling) and smooth rough spots on tooth roots (root planing) to eliminate bacteria and create a clean surface that helps gums reattach to teeth. Usually performed under local anesthesia for comfort, this non-surgical treatment effectively treats early to moderate periodontitis and helps prevent disease progression.
Antibiotic Therapy
To complement other treatments, we may recommend antibiotics to control bacterial infection in your gums. Options include prescription mouth rinses, antibiotic gels or fibers placed directly into the pockets between teeth and gums, or oral antibiotics for more widespread infections. These medications help speed healing after procedures like scaling and root planing and reduce the likelihood of infection returning.
Laser Therapy
Laser gum therapy offers a less invasive alternative for treating periodontal disease. Using a precisely controlled laser, we can target and remove infected gum tissue while simultaneously killing bacteria. This advanced technique typically results in less bleeding, reduced discomfort, and faster healing compared to traditional methods. Many patients appreciate that laser therapy preserves more healthy tissue and usually doesn’t require stitches.
Gum Grafting
When gum recession exposes tooth roots, causing sensitivity and increased decay risk, gum grafting can help. This procedure uses tissue from another part of your mouth or donor tissue to cover exposed roots, preventing further recession and bone loss. Gum grafting reduces tooth sensitivity, protects vulnerable root surfaces, and improves the appearance of your smile by creating a more even gumline.
Bone Grafting
Advanced gum disease can destroy the bone supporting your teeth. Bone grafting places material in these damaged areas to encourage your body to rebuild lost bone tissue. This procedure helps stabilize loose teeth, prevents tooth loss, and restores the structural foundation needed for proper dental function. Bone grafting may be recommended before dental implant placement or as part of comprehensive periodontal treatment.
Pocket Reduction Surgery
For cases where deep pockets between teeth and gums persist despite non-surgical treatments, pocket reduction surgery may be necessary. This procedure involves folding back the gum tissue to remove infection and smooth damaged bone, then securing the tissue in a position that reduces pocket depth. By eliminating bacteria-harboring spaces, this surgery makes it easier to maintain gum health and prevents further disease progression.
Maintenance Care
After periodontal treatment, ongoing maintenance is crucial for long-term success. This includes more frequent cleaning appointments (typically every 3-4 months), careful monitoring of your gum health, and professional removal of any new plaque buildup. Consistent maintenance helps prevent disease recurrence and protects both your oral health and your investment in treatment.
Periodontal Disease Treatment Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have gum disease?
Early signs include red, swollen, or bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, and gums that have pulled away from the teeth. However, gum disease can be painless, so regular dental check-ups are essential for early detection.
Can gum disease be cured?
Early gum disease (gingivitis) can be reversed with proper treatment and improved oral hygiene. More advanced forms (periodontitis) can be controlled but not completely cured, making early intervention crucial.
Is gum disease treatment painful?
Most periodontal treatments are minimally uncomfortable. We use local anesthesia when necessary and offer sedation options for patients with dental anxiety.
How can I prevent gum disease?
Brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily, use an antimicrobial mouthwash, eat a balanced diet, avoid tobacco products, and schedule regular dental cleanings and check-ups.
How does gum disease affect my overall health?
Research has linked gum disease to several serious health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, and certain types of cancer. Maintaining good oral health is an important part of your overall wellness.
How often should I get periodontal maintenance after treatment?
Most patients with a history of gum disease benefit from periodontal maintenance appointments every 3-4 months, rather than the standard 6-month recall for patients without gum disease.
Request an Appointment
Don’t wait until gum disease causes permanent damage to your smile. Early intervention is the key to successful treatment and prevention of more serious problems.
Contact Garfield Dental today to schedule your comprehensive periodontal evaluation. Our friendly team is ready to help you achieve optimal gum health and maintain a beautiful, healthy smile for life. Call us at (231) 518-3715 or use our online appointment request form.