Gum disease plagues over half of all American adults in one form or another. The older you get, the more likely you are to develop this condition. Eventually, untreated gum disease can lead to tooth loss. In short, it’s a serious oral health problem. Free yourself from the limitations of gum disease with treatment from the experts at Smiles by the Sea.

Ways Gum Disease Is Limiting

Some people may convince themselves that what’s going on in their mouth is temporary. The swollen gums, the tenderness, the occasional bleeding. They may chalk it up to a fluke or something they ate. But these are clear signs of gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Ignoring the problem will not make it go away – it will make it grow bigger.

Gum disease limits you in so many ways. Though the symptoms may not be visibly noticeable to the untrained eye at first, eventually they will stick out and you’ll have a difficult time hiding them. You’ll be self-conscious about eating with others or speaking up, and brushing your teeth will be uncomfortable, as well as chewing and maybe even speaking.

Remember – gum disease does not go away on its own. No oral health problem does. If you want to be truly free from this condition, you have to admit you have a complication and see your dentist as soon as possible for the appropriate dental care.

Complications of Gum Disease

Gum disease may start small in just one area of your mouth but, over time and left untreated, it will spread throughout your mouth. This overgrowth of bacteria will eventually:

  • Damage the soft tissues of your mouth
  • Cause gums and teeth to separate from each other
  • Allow for the creation of pockets where more bacteria and food particles can settle
  • Destroy the bone that supports your teeth
  • Cause teeth to become loose in their sockets

Even if teeth don’t fall out on their own, they will eventually need to be extracted because they are not secure. And through all of this, you will be in pain and great discomfort from the infection too.

Gum Disease Treatments

There are multiple ways to treat gum disease. Our in-house periodontist will carefully diagnose your condition before determining the best plan of action. All treatments are designed to address the infection, minimize the formation of plaque, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.

  • Scaling and root planing: Special dental tools remove tartar from below the gum line and smooth out bumpy surfaces that attract plaque.
  • Osseous surgery: Pocket reduction surgery that removes bacteria living in the pockets around the teeth and repairs damaged bone.
  • Antibiotics: Often prescribed to help attack the gum infection and promote healing, typically through mouthwash, an antimicrobial rinse, or topical treatment.

Cure and Prevent Gum Disease

The best way to prevent gum disease is to brush and floss daily and see your dentist every six months for a professional teeth cleaning and dental exam. Your dentist will notice any signs of gum disease long before you ever would, which means the problem can be addressed before it gets out of hand. But if you’re already in the throes of gum disease, don’t be stagnant – contact Smiles by the Sea in Hampton to schedule an appointment. We want to help you get back to good oral health, no matter what condition your teeth and gums are in. There is always a solution.