If your teeth hurt when you chew or if you notice bleeding when you brush or floss, you’re probably suffering from gum disease. This is a serious medical condition that requires immediate medical attention from a dentist. The longer you allow your gum disease to go untreated, the more likely it is to seriously damage your smile. Eventually, gum disease can lead to the loss of teeth. Fortunately, Dr. Cederbaum features effective treatments for gum disease.
But gum disease doesn’t just threaten your smile. Recent research also links gum disease to a number of serious health issues including strokes, heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease also referred to as periodontal disease, is a bacterial infection that afflicts almost half of Americans over the age of 30. The bacteria which causes gum disease feeds on the plaque and tartar in your mouth. The best way to protect yourself against gum disease is to prevent the growth of plaque and tartar through daily brushing and flossing and by visiting Dr. Cederbaum for regular checkups.
Types of Gum Disease
Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease when symptoms such as soreness and bleeding begin to emerge. This is the best time to treat your gum disease before it has a chance to progress to a more hazardous stage known as advanced periodontitis.
Periodontitis is an advanced stage of gum disease where gums become bright red, swollen, and sensitive to the touch. Eating is extremely painful and patients typically suffer from bad breath. Large pockets of infection develop around the base of the teeth, causing the gums to pull away. This makes the teeth appear as though they’re growing larger. Bleeding is common and pus emits from the gums. As the infection spreads to the jawbone, your teeth will become loose and eventually fall out.
Treatment for Gum Disease
The good news is that Dr. Cederbaum offers treatments for gum disease at all stages of its development. At its earliest stages, gum disease can often be arrested through a combination of extensive plaque removal from our hygienist and regular home care. For more advanced cases, Dr. Cederbaum provides a treatment called scaling and root planing which is often referred to as a “dental deep clean.” In this procedure, tartar and bacteria are removed from pockets beneath the gumline.
Dr. Cederbaum also provides surgical treatments for the most advanced cases of gum disease. Another effective treatment is the application of Arestin, a time-released antibiotic. Arestin remains active for an extended time, which allows it to reduce the infected pockets around the base of the teeth.
Please call our office or fill out the form below to arrange an appointment with Dr. Cederbaum if you think you might be suffering gum disease. The sooner you seek treatment, the better.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best treatment for gum disease?
The best treatment for gum disease is always prevention. However, once you have the infection, you’ll need to visit our Seattle office so we can perform a deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing. During this treatment, we’ll use special tools to scale off the tartar on your teeth and in pockets that have formed.
Then, we’ll smooth the roots of your teeth. Depending on the extent of the infection, Dr. Cederbaum may prescribe an antibiotic or mouthwash to ensure the infection is completely eradicated.
Can gum disease be cured?
Once the disease has reached advanced stages known as periodontitis, it can’t be reversed, but Dr. Cederbaum may recommend more frequent visits to stop the disease from progressing.
If the disease is caught early on, known as gingivitis, it can be reversed with a deep cleaning at our Seattle office. In addition to a deep cleaning, you’ll want to be diligent about your oral hygiene care following your treatment by brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and rinsing between meals.
If you suspect you have gum disease, don’t wait for the symptoms to get worse. It’s vital to treat gum disease right away to stop the disease from progressing. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Cederbaum by calling (206) 524-1314 and we’ll help restore your oral health.
How can I keep my gums healthy?
In addition to scheduling biannual checkups and cleanings at our Seattle office, you’ll want to follow a few recommendations to keep your gums healthy, including:
- Brushing twice a day
- flossing daily
- Rinsing between meals
- Stop smoking
- Eating tooth-healthy foods including calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin C
While these remedies may help keep your gum disease at bay, once the symptoms have set in, you’ll need to have a deep cleaning to restore your oral health.
How soon after a deep cleaning will the symptoms go away?
After a deep cleaning, any discomfort and swelling will subside within a few weeks. The time it takes for the symptoms to subside depends on the extent of the infection. In addition to following any recommendations by Dr. Cederbaum, you’ll want to rinse with warm saltwater to keep your mouth free of bacteria and promote gum healing. In the meantime, you can use over-the-counter pain relievers and ice to help with any discomfort and swelling.