Can Your Dentist Cure Gum Disease?

Protecting your oral health isn’t just about caring for your teeth. Your gums are an important part of your mouth and must be protected as well. Failing to do so can lead to a variety of problems, including gum disease.

Gum disease has many stages, from gingivitis to full-blown periodontal disease. If caught early, gingivitis is reversible and should cause no permanent damage. But left untreated, it can eventually turn into periodontitis, and could end up costing you your teeth, gum tissue, and even your jawbone. Here’s a closer look at the stages of gum disease, and why it’s so important to treat it as soon as possible.

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is a progressive bacterial infection of the gums. The most common cause is poor oral hygiene habits, such as not brushing well or often enough, not flossing, and not seeing your dentist every six months for your regular dental cleanings. Neglecting these steps can allow bacteria to infiltrate your gums, causing inflammation and gum recession that can ultimately lead to tooth and bone loss. While there is no cure for gum disease, it can be reversed early on and managed in later stages. But getting timely care is critical to protecting your smile.

What Are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?

Gum disease begins its life as a condition known as gingivitis. At this stage, it is usually typically reversible if caught early enough. Often, simply brushing and flossing more often can keep your gums healthy and eliminate it completely.

If left untreated, however, gingivitis will eventually turn into periodontal disease, which is much more dangerous and difficult to treat. Periodontal disease is characterized by the following symptoms:

• Bite changes
• Receding gums
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth / tooth loss
• Red, swollen gums
• Bleeding gums
• Pain while chewing

Worse yet, tooth loss can cause deterioration in your jawbones, making it easier to lose more teeth and portions of the jawbone itself. This could eventually result in the need for a bone graft to repair and protect you from further degradation. In some severe cases, deterioration may be too severe to be repaired enough for tooth restoration solutions such as dental implants, and patients will need to choose other, temporary replacements like dentures instead.

How is Gum Disease Treated?

Treatment for gum disease depends on the symptoms you’re experiencing. For some patients, a root scaling and planing procedure can help clear away bacteria from gingival pockets and allow the gums to heal. For others, gum grafts may be necessary, and if there is significant tooth or jawbone loss, you may require a bone graft.

If you have been diagnosed with, or suspect that you may have gum disease, it is important that you take it very seriously. Failure to treat periodontal problems can allow them to get worse and ultimately cost you your smile. Thus, be sure to floss daily and include gum care in your regular oral hygiene routine, and don’t forget to visit your dentist twice a year for your regular, biannual checkup.

About Dr. Rakowsky

Dr. Terry F. Rakowsky earned his undergraduate degree from Penn State University and his dental doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. He has studied at the world-renowned Dawson Academy and Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. Dr. Rakowsky is an active member of both the American Dental Association and the Pennsylvania Dental Association.

If you are suffering from any stage of gum disease, or believe you could be, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Rakowsky today and protect your beautiful smile. You can request an appointment on our website, or call the office directly at 215-348-2224.