Gum Disease Treatment: Protecting Your Smile From Infection [Video Tips]

Gum disease is an incredibly common condition, with millions of people affected worldwide. Despite its prevalence, it can cause severe damage to your oral health. The effects of gum disease on your smile largely depend on how soon your condition is treated. In the early stages, gum disease is easily treatable and reversible. However, in later stages, gum disease may become a chronic condition you have to manage and cause permanent damage to your gums and jawbone. At St. Apollonia Dental, we take gum disease treatment very seriously. No matter what stage of infection you’re in, we’ll provide safe and effective treatments to help you get your oral health back on track.

Gum Disease 101

Two of the most common types of gum disease are gingivitis and periodontitis.

Gingivitis is the earliest stage, a mild form of gum disease that may not even display noticeable symptoms. But without signs to look out for, the condition is difficult to detect and treat in time. If you notice regularly bleeding gums, irritated or swollen gum tissue, or persistent bad breath, you may be dealing with gingivitis.

Without treatment, gingivitis advances into periodontitis. This stage is more dangerous, as it causes real, irreparable damage to your oral health.

Patients with periodontitis may notice gum recession, pain, pus, black triangles in between teeth, and even loose teeth over time. The worse the infection gets, the more it affects your gums and jaw. As bacteria reach below your gums, they begin eating away at the bone that supports your teeth. This form of bone loss may cause your teeth to eventually fall out, creating a much bigger issue.

But not all hope is lost! With gum disease treatment, you can stop the spread of infection, manage your condition, and possibly reverse some of the damage done.

Gum Disease Treatment in Sterling Heights, MI

Depending on the severity of your gum disease, we may use a variety of treatments to remove the infection. These include:

• Professional cleanings: The first step after we notice signs of gum disease is to perform professional cleanings. That is why it’s so important to attend routine checkups, as we can detect early signs of infection. Using specialized dental tools, we’re able to reach areas you can’t with a toothbrush to thoroughly clean your smile.
• Scaling and root planing: If the infection extends beyond your gums, we may use scaling and root planing, also called a deep cleaning. The treatment reaches below your gum tissue to the roots of your teeth. Then we’ll scrape off hardened tartar and bacteria, and smooth the roots to allow your gums to reattach.
• Surgical procedures: When gum disease reaches an advanced stage, we may need to use surgical interventions. Using specialized dental instruments, we will gently reposition the gum tissue to carefully clean beneath the gum line. Often, we pair this method with antibiotics to reduce inflammation and kill harmful bacteria.
• At-home care: Finally, the most important gum disease treatment actually comes from at-home care. Everyday brushing and flossing isn’t just a recommendation. It’s actually a necessary step to keep your smile clean, especially after gum disease. The better care you take of your smile at home, the less likely an infection will form, worsen, or return.

How a Waterpik Makes a Difference in Gum Disease Treatment

At-home care is necessary to keep your smile healthy, but we have a few recommendations to improve your oral health routine.

First, we encourage all patients to use an electric toothbrush. Not only does the brush rotate, doing most of the work for you, but it also helps prevent patients from brushing too hard! Instead, the brush offers gentle, effective cleaning that keeps your teeth bright and beautiful.

Next, we recommend using a water flosser over regular floss. Since the introduction of the Waterpik, we’ve found that a great way to maintain good oral health is to add a little hydrogen peroxide to your water flosser. By mixing 50% peroxide with water in the tank, the water flosser helps remove infection and keep your gums free of harmful bacteria. This is especially helpful for patients prone to gum disease or dealing with periodontitis. With a water flosser and peroxide, you may be able to keep your infection in check.

Finally, attend routine dental visits. These checkups are an essential tool for detecting infections early and preventing the spread of bacteria. During your visit with us, we will check for signs of gingivitis and make sure your smile is both happy and healthy.

Protect Your Smile From Infection in Sterling Heights, MI!

Gum disease may be common, but that doesn’t mean it’s not an urgent matter. If you notice signs of infection, seek gum disease treatment as soon as possible from a trusted professional. At St. Apollonia Dental, we use professional cleanings, scaling and root planing, and even surgical interventions to remove the infection. Additionally, we help patients keep up their hygiene routine at home, preventing the infection from spreading.

Visit St. Apollonia Dental in Sterling Heights, MI, as soon as possible to keep your smile clean!

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