Get Comprehensive Care for Gum Disease
Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is a bacterial infection that can cause serious issues if not addressed. Symptoms include inflammation, bleeding, and potential damage to the bone supporting your teeth. Seeking treatment from a dentist is crucial to prevent complications and maintain oral health. Regular check-ups, good oral hygiene, and a healthy lifestyle can help prevent gum disease and preserve your smile.
What Happens if I Don’t Treat My Gum Disease?
The early signs of gum disease may be subtle and easy to overlook, but they should not be ignored. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to a variety of painful, unsightly, and expensive oral health issues. It can also impact other areas of your body. Symptoms may include difficulty chewing, receding gums, elongated teeth, and loose or missing teeth.
These are just a few of the dental issues that can result from gum disease. It can also have serious implications for your overall health. The bacteria that cause periodontitis can enter your bloodstream through infected gums, potentially leading to significant health problems in other parts of your body. Individuals with gum disease may also be at higher risk for medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
What are the qualifications for receiving treatment for Gum Disease?
Patients who have pale pink, firm gum tissue that fits tightly around each tooth are typically eligible for gum disease treatments. If your gums are swollen, red, tender, bleed easily, or have bad breath, you may benefit from these treatments to improve your oral health. Receding gum tissue may also indicate the need for treatment.
Gum Disease Treatment
There are two types of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is characterized by tender gums that easily bleed, and it can be treated by visiting our Greenville dental office more frequently for dental hygiene appointments. We may also prescribe medicated mouthwash to improve your at-home oral care routine and prevent further gum infection.
Periodontitis is a more advanced form of gum disease and may be identified by chronic bad breath, loose teeth, pus between teeth, and a persistent unpleasant taste in the mouth. To treat periodontitis, our dentists in Greenville offer scaling and root planing or laser gum therapy. These treatments effectively remove bacteria and plaque from below the gum line, eliminating the infection and protecting the long-term health of your teeth and gums.