FAQs about protecting the gums that protect your teeth
Advanced periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is the number one cause of tooth loss. While it is a major threat to the health and beauty of your smile, it can be prevented. As it is a progressive condition, the team at Brighton Park Dental works with our neighbors from across southwest Chicago, Illinois, to detect early signs of disease and stop it in its tracks. Prevention is the first line of defense, but we also strive to provide treatment that resolves early-stage disease and prevents further damage.
How does gum disease happen?
People tend to focus on brushing the teeth that are visible when they smile. However, they may fail to properly clean the back teeth or other areas that can harbor bacteria, such as the gum line, tongue, and roof of the mouth. When little bits of food are left behind in your mouth, harmful bacteria feed off of the starches and sugars. This process promotes the development of destructive plaque. Without prompt detection and treatment, plaque releases toxins that inflame the gums and eventually break down the soft tissues as well as the hard tissues (bone) that support the teeth.
Won’t I notice if gum disease is present?
Not always. Many oral conditions tend not to produce symptoms early on, so you may mistakenly think that your gums are healthy. For this reason, it is essential to maintain routine visits to our office. During these visits, Drs. Aroon Pal, Nilay Patel, and Taylor Jemilo examine your gums and teeth. They can detect early signs of gum disease or inflammation that may produce subtle changes in the look or feel of your gums. These changes can be easy to ignore. However, by detecting them, we can make recommendations about oral care products and oral hygiene at home to prevent the disease or damage from getting worse. When treated early, the effects of gum disease can be reversed!
What are the early effects of gum disease?
Inflammation, or gingivitis, is generally marked by gums that look redder than usual, are puffy, and feel tender to the touch. You may also notice “pink in the sink” and bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth. At this stage, we can heal the gums without any lasting effects or consequences, without the need for aggressive or invasive treatments. We can stop gum disease from progressing to its more advanced or serious form, periodontitis.
Can the effects of periodontitis be reversed?
Not without treatment – once the tissues are lost, they are gone for good. At this stage, we may need to regenerate the lost tissues with periodontal surgeries. Some of these surgical interventions include building up the deteriorated gum line with a tissue substitute. Depending on your needs and the severity of the periodontitis, it may be necessary to apply a substitute for soft tissues (such as your gums) or hard tissues (like the supportive bone in your jaw).
What treatments are generally recommended?
Treatment usually depends on the severity or “stage” of the disease. Gingivitis may be treated with special oral products and recommendations for home care. A dental cleaning at our office or prophylaxis may suffice. You may also require a deeper cleaning, known as scaling and root planing. SRP involves going beneath the gum line to remove bacteria and plaque at a deeper level than the standard “prophy.” It also involves accessing and smoothing the roots of the teeth. These surfaces tend to be rough and can contribute to the progression of gum disease as they attract bacteria and other nasty substances. With these interventions, we can avoid the need for more aggressive treatments.
Gum disease does not have to be in your future! If it’s been longer than six months since you last visited the dentist, schedule your checkup at Brighton Park Dental. Call (773) 801-5171 to speak with a member of our team in Chicago today.
