Gum Disease Therapy

While gum disease is a fairly common condition in its earliest stage and may seem relatively harmless, it quickly becomes dangerous in more advanced stages. As the leading cause of tooth loss within the United States, this condition is something we encourage you to remain aware of. 

We arm our patients with all the information they need to prevent and identify the condition to ensure the problem remains maintained. However, if gum disease is able to advance, we can offer treatment as well. 

To learn more about gum disease, please read below. If you would like to express concerns regarding your gum condition or want to book an appointment, call our Havelock, NC office today!

Gum Disease

Gum disease is typically caused by poor oral hygiene, certain medications, or genetic conditions. The condition occurs in one of three stages, each becoming progressively worse and more dangerous as the disease evolves. These stages include gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis.

  • Gingivitis – This is the first stage of the condition and arguably the most unsettling. While there are little to no apparent symptoms or significant impacts on your gums or bone, this allows the condition to easily slip under your radar and become incurable in the next stage. Gingivitis is characterized by red, swollen, or bleeding gums. The gums will become inflamed due to the accumulation of plaque and tartar along your gum line; this is where the problem begins. If you notice this, it’s crucial that you schedule an appointment for a professional cleaning at our office.
  • Periodontitis – Once the condition reaches this stage, it is no longer curable and must be managed by professional treatment. Standard professional cleanings will no longer be capable of controlling the condition because the disease has spread below the gumline. You may notice gum recession, bleeding, tender gums, or tooth mobility. The bacteria will begin attacking your supporting bone and tooth roots, causing teeth to become less stable.
  • Advanced periodontitis – This is the last stage of the disease where you may begin to lose your teeth. As the disease continues to wear away at your gums and bone tissue, you may notice loose teeth, pus, severe bad breath, and pain.

Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is one of the treatments we offer to manage periodontitis and advanced periodontitis in our office. Commonly known as a deep cleaning, this procedure cleans your teeth more thoroughly than a standard professional cleaning; that’s because we turn most of our attention to removing plaque and tartar below the gumline. 

  • As the plaque and tartar begin to accumulate in spaces unreachable by your toothbrush, we use special tools to scrape away the acidic substances from the bone. 
  • Once this is complete, we will also smooth away any hollowed-out spaces or areas where the bone has eroded. This prevents bacteria from packing into the same spaces again and causing more damage. 
  • Once the procedure is complete, your gums will have a clean, smooth surface to reattach to.

A Healthier Smile Without Gum Disease

Our practice has the skills, knowledge, and overall expertise to identify, diagnose, and treat gum disease, all while keeping you healthy and happy! We realize that the idea of having the condition can seem scary, but with our team by your side, you can feel confident in reaching a great outcome. Trust the experts to treat your smile and call Stonebridge Dental Associates today!

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