Gum treatment in Michigan

Is Periodontal Disease the Same as Gum Disease?

Yes, periodontal disease and gum disease are the same thing.  The disease is prevalent, yet it's preventable. If you brush and floss as recommended and see your dentist twice a year for an exam and a dental cleaning, you can help prevent both decay and periodontal disease.

Why Do Individuals Get Gingivitis?

As plaque and tartar accumulate on your teeth, they irritate and inflame your gums, causing gingivitis. While everyone gets plaque on their teeth, it's when the plaque lingers and hardens into tartar that causes gingivitis symptoms. If you notice your gums showing any signs of gingivitis, call our office right away to see one of our dentists about gingivitis treatment. A gingivitis cure from a dentist will prevent the mild form of gum disease from possibly turning into periodontitis.

What Are the Most Common Gingivitis Symptoms?

You may notice the following signs of gingivitis:

• Bright or dark red gums
• Blood in your spit when you brush your teeth
• Puffy gums that look shiny
• Your gums feel tender

Early gum disease gum disease symptoms rarely cause pain, so it's important to check your gums when you brush. If you notice any of these signs of gingivitis, we urge you to call our office. Our dentists excel at gingivitis treatment, stopping it in its tracks before it can cause further problems.

What Are the Gum Disease Symptoms of Periodontitis?

If your gingivitis progresses to periodontitis, you may notice more symptoms than you did when you had gingivitis. Periodontitis will start to cause noticeable problems and probably pain and discomfort. If you notice any of the following, call us soon.

• Gums that start to separate from your teeth
• Swollen or inflamed gums
• Teeth appear longer as your gums recede
• Changes in your bite as your teeth move
• Loose or fragile teeth

If you notice any of these signs of gum disease, please call us for an appointment so one of our dentists can create a treatment plan to manage the disease.

What Are the Different Categories of Gum Disease?

Gum disease is divided into gingivitis and periodontitis.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that is caused by a bacterial infection of the gums. Fortunately, with a dentist's help, it is easily reversed and your gingivitis symptoms will disappear. This will prevent it from advancing to a more destructive form of gum disease.

Periodontitis

Reversing gum disease at this point isn't an option, but a dentist can control the infection and manage the disease. Unlike gingivitis, the infection travels under your gums via pockets between your teeth and gums. Bleeding gums are common and the pus in the pockets under your gums emits a foul odor.

Advanced Periodontitis

As periodontitis advances, the infection reaches the bone. Without aggressive treatment, your teeth will loosen and eventually fall out. This stage of gum disease causes the most damage.

Do Dentists Have a Gingivitis Cure?

With professional gingivitis treatment, you can reverse the disease. Dentists generally suggest a dental cleaning to remove plaque and tartar, so you can start your new at-home oral hygiene routine. He or she will make sure you brush and floss properly to keep gingivitis from returning. Remember, only a dental professional can get tartar off your teeth, so better brushing with a toothpaste designed to fight gingivitis won't work if you see plaque on your teeth. If there is a hard, yellowish substance on your teeth at the gumline, you need to see a dentist for a gingivitis cure.

Is Aggressive Gum Disease Treatment Available?

Treatment for periodontitis and advanced periodontitis often includes scaling and root planing. This is a deep dental cleaning that also smooths the tooth roots, so it is easier for the gums to attach to them. The procedure often takes two visits. Your dentist may also prescribe antibiotics to help control the infection.

In cases of advanced periodontitis, your dentist may refer you to a periodontist for surgery. There are several surgeries that can restore lost gum tissue and bone. Treatment for gum disease in Michigan at this stage is essential, as the infection can spread and increase your risk for numerous cardiovascular and respiratory problems.

Is There a Gum Disease Cure?

Reversing gum disease is possible since there is a gingivitis cure. If you have periodontitis, there isn't a cure, but our dentists can treat the infection and stop further damage to the support structures of your teeth. Call our office for an appointment with one of our dentists to discuss treatment options for gum disease in Michigan.