Gum Disease Treatment Leesburg

The Cause of Gum Disease

As the bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugar and starches you eat, they contribute to the buildup of a biofilm called plaque. While some plaque buildup is natural, it’s important to keep it under control by brushing and flossing every day. If you don’t, the bacteria could eventually infect your gums. At this point, they’ll start attacking the gum and bone tissue keeping your teeth in place. Unfortunately, a severe gum infection will not get better if it’s left alone; it needs to be treated if you want to protect your teeth.

How Do I Know If I Have Gum Disease?

While the symptoms of gum disease often go undetected at first, there are still a few warning signs you can watch out for. Early gum disease (known as gingivitis) can make your gums red and swollen, and you might even notice some bleeding. Once the condition is more severe, possible symptoms include a persistent bad taste in your mouth, pus between the gums, bad breath, loose or shifting teeth, and gum recession.

What Happens if Gum Disease Isn’t Treated?

Once you’ve reached the advanced stages of gum disease, you could be at risk of losing your teeth altogether. Also, the inflammation from gum disease has been linked to several health problems, including heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s, depression, diabetes, respiratory infections, and pregnancy complications. Having your gum disease treated as early as possible could help prevent you from these severe (and in many cases deadly) complications. Call our office if you notice any of the above symptoms of gum disease, and don’t forget to visit us for regular checkups and cleanings; it could make all the difference for your overall health over the long term.

Treating Gum Disease

Dr. Pham can thoroughly examine your gums to look for redness, inflammation, or other signs of gum disease. They’ll also be searching for pockets that have formed beneath the gum line; these pockets often point to extensive bone loss, a sign that the disease has become particularly severe. In some cases, we may need to take an X-ray to see if the infection has spread.

Once we’ve diagnosed your gum disease, we can devise an appropriate treatment. Gingivitis can often be addressed with a thorough cleaning and improved home care, but more severe gum disease normally requires more in-depth procedures.

Gum Disease Treatment Options

When it comes to treating your gum disease, Dr. Pham will need to fully examine your oral cavity to determine the severity of the problem. The most advanced cases often require complex solutions to reduce inflammation, minimize infection, and improve your oral health.

Scaling and Root Planing

Using specialized dental instruments, Dr. Pham will first begin by administering a local anesthetic or sedation to ensure you are comfortable throughout the process. She will then begin to remove plaque and tartar accumulations from your teeth and gum line in a process called scaling. When finished, she will move on to the second phase of the procedure known as root planing. This smooths out the tooth root to encourage proper reattachment of the gum tissue and prevent future reinfection.

Learn More About Scaling & Root Planing

Antibiotic Treatment 

It’s possible that we’ll need to prescribe an antibiotic to assist with your gum disease treatment. Typically, these types of medicine work by targeting and eliminating the bacteria responsible for gum disease. They’re often taken in pill form, making them quite accessible and easy to administer. Whether you’re in need of a short-term prescription or something a little more long-term, we’ll be sure to work with you toward improving your gum health!

Gum Grafting

If your gums are receding, it may be necessary for Dr. Pham to perform a gum graft. Because this common problem exposes the root of your tooth, it can cause your chances of decay and sensitivity to increase. During this process, a piece of tissue will be removed from another area of your mouth and attached to your receding gums. Performed relatively quickly, you will receive detailed instructions to follow when you return home.

Learn More About Gum Grafting