Dentist in Wrentham offers treatment for different stages of gum diseases

The team at Advanced Dental Practices in Wrentham, MA is committed to high quality, comprehensive dental care. Our team has a high degree of experience and knowledge about specialized dental care, including treatment for gum disease. If you or someone you know has recently been diagnosed with gum disease, our team is here to help restore gum health, improving the appearance and the functionality of the smile.

Comprehensive periodontal care

Periodontium refers to the area or structures around the tooth. Our periodontal care services focus on improving the health of the soft and hard tissues around the tooth when they become compromised. This includes:

• Gum tissue
• The area around the tooth root
• Periodontal ligaments and connective tissue
• Jawbone

The periodontium provides the structure and support for the tooth, which means it’s vital to oral health, basic functions of the mouth, and the appearance of the face. We offer comprehensive periodontal care, from preventive examinations and cleanings to diagnostic services and an array of treatment options.

Gum disease and other periodontal health concerns

Gum disease is a condition that affects approximately half of adult Americans. It’s a progressive disease that begins as a simple irritation of the gums, known as gingivitis, and then worsens into advanced periodontal disease if it is left untreated.

Healthy gum tissue should be pink, firm, and attached snugly around the teeth. Proper oral hygiene is essential to keeping both the teeth and gum tissue healthy. When the sugars from various foods and beverages are not properly removed from teeth, they can combine with the mouth’s natural bacteria to form a sticky substance called plaque. If the plaque is not properly removed, it will harden to form a tartar that will irritate the gum tissue along the base of the teeth. This progression of gum disease can eventually lead to tooth loss.

Gingivitis

In many cases, early gingivitis is asymptomatic, which is why it often goes undiagnosed and untreated. The most common symptoms of gingivitis are:

• Inflamed gums
• Bleeding while brushing or flossing
• Gum sensitivity or tenderness
• Chronic bad breath

Individuals may notice that the gums appear puffy or have white patches. These are both signs of gingivitis.

Advanced Periodontal Disease

When gingivitis is left untreated, it will progress to advanced gum disease. At this point, the effects of the disease such as bone loss and tooth loss are irreversible and require advanced restorations. Unlike gingivitis, which can be asymptomatic, advanced gum disease causes noticeable symptoms including:

• Gums that recede or pull away from the teeth
• Spaces or pockets between the teeth and gums
• Spaces between teeth due to shifting
• Pus pockets between the teeth and gums

As the pockets between the teeth and gums begin to appear, they become a reservoir for bacteria and plaque. These substances will erode the gum tissue and bone tissue and can enter the blood stream, leading to an increased risk of health conditions or infections in other areas of the body.

Gum disease treatment

The good news for patients with gingivitis is that the treatment is very straightforward and effective. To eliminate gingivitis, we recommend professional cleanings to remove the plaque and improvement in brushing and flossing at home. Patients may need to have more frequent cleanings for a set period of time until inflammation has subsided and oral health has been restored.

Advanced gum disease requires more intensive treatment. This may include scaling and root planing, which is a professional deep cleaning that removes bacteria all the way down to the root to eliminate bacterial buildup.

Surgical procedures to eliminate periodontal pockets and restore bone loss may also be necessary. Patients who have lost teeth will need to look at options such as dental implants, dental bridges, or dentures to restore their smile.

Preventing gum disease

Gum disease is almost completely preventable with a few easy steps:

• Practice good oral hygiene at home. Brush at least twice each day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, making sure to reach all surfaces of the tooth and the tongue. Floss once a day.
• Maintain regular dental visits. Professional cleanings remove tough, hardened plaque. It also allows the dentist to identify early signs of gingivitis, when the condition is easily treated.
• Practice good nutrition. Avoid or limit sugary, starchy foods as much as possible, and always brush the teeth or rinse the mouth after consuming them.

To learn more about gum disease treatment in Wrentham, MA, call Advanced Dental Practices at today.

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