What is gum disease?
Gum disease is a bacterial infection that can develop when proper oral hygiene practices are not followed.
Plaque and bacteria left along the gum line quickly harden into tartar, irritating the gums until they start to pull away from the teeth or recede. Deep pockets form between the gums and the teeth, allowing the infection to thrive and multiply.
In severe cases, the pockets become so deep and the gums recede far enough that they are unable to support the teeth, causing tooth loss.
Flossing doesn’t sound so bad now, does it?
Effects of Gum Disease on Health
Treating gum disease is essential for protecting your health. Bacteria present in infected gums have a direct pathway into the bloodstream and into your main lifelines – your heart and brain. Gum disease has been linked to numerous health problems including heart disease and diabetes.
Gum Disease Prevention
Eating a healthy diet, maintaining a thorough oral hygiene routine at home and seeing your dentist regularly can significantly reduce your chances of developing gum disease.
Hygiene cleanings are especially important in the fight against gum disease. These deep cleanings performed by your dental hygienist, clean away any built-up plaque and tartar that could cause gum disease.
Early Signs of Gum Disease
Gingivitis is the first and mildest stage of gum disease. Unlike more advanced forms of gum disease, gingivitis can be reversed if diagnosed and treated early.
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, contact your dentist to book an examination as soon as possible:
- Sensitive gums
- Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
- Gums that are red, swollen or puffy
- Bad breath
Gum Disease Therapy
Periodontal treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease. Our dentists will work with you to create a treatment plan based on your particular case.
Once your periodontal treatment has been completed, our dental team will recommend that you have regular dental examinations and preventive therapy, usually four times a year.
Gum Disease Treatment
Our dental team is passionate about helping patients fight gum disease and maintain optimal oral health.
Gum disease treatments at our Vernon clinic include:
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Treatment of Mild Gum Disease
For patients with mild gum disease, a deep cleaning performed by a dental hygienist may be enough to reverse it.
The dental hygienist will scrape away the plaque and tartar around and below the gum line, and smooth out any rough areas left behind through a process called scaling and root planing.
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Early Stage Receding Gum Treatment
Many people with gum recession experience pain or sensitivity due to vulnerable tooth roots being left exposed and unprotected. Our Pleasant Valley Dental dentists can apply fluoride varnish or other desensitizing agents to help reduce the discomfort associated with receding gums.
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Laser Gum Disease Treatment
Laser gum therapy uses dental laser technology designed to target and kill the infection while leaving healthy gum tissue intact. There’s no cutting, scraping, or sewing involved. This treatment is minimally invasive to help increase patient comfort and provide healthy, aesthetic results with little to no healing time required.
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Gum Graft
A gum graft is a procedure where gum tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth and transplanted onto another area of the gums.
Grafting can help to cover exposed tooth roots, repair receding gums, and reduce associated symptoms such as severe tooth sensitivity or eventual tooth loss.
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Chao Pinhole® Technique
Chao Pinhole treatment can be used to repair receded gums and cover exposed roots, helping to reduce sensitivity and protect the health of your teeth and gums.
This minimally invasive treatment option involves making small holes in the gum tissue using a needle. Then, specially designed instruments are used to loosen and guide the gum tissue over the receded part of the tooth.
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Dental Implants
Once gums have been restored to good health, dental implants may be an ideal way to replace missing teeth lost due to severe gum disease. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots placed directly into the jaw and topped with a natural-looking tooth replacement. This procedure can provide patients with a number of oral health benefits.