Gum Disease Treatment
Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth. It is caused by the buildup of plaque and bacteria on your teeth and below the gum line. If Gum disease is not treated, it can cause tooth loss.
The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. If you have gingivitis, your gums may become red, swollen and bleed easily. At this stage, the disease is still reversible and can usually be eliminated by a professional cleaning at a dental office, followed by daily brushing and flossing.
Some factors increase the risk of developing gum disease. They are:
There are some warning signs that can signal a gum disease problem. If you experience any of the following symptoms, Dr. Zhou will treat gingivitis for you:
Our dentist may recommend that you schedule extra professional teeth cleanings. Our dentist will clean your teeth by removing all of the plaque and tartar with a small, metal tool. If this is not enough, our dentist may perform a deep cleaning treatment called scaling and root planing. Our dentist will first scale your teeth, or remove all of the plaque, all the way down to the gums. Root planing means that your tooth roots will be smoothed so that plaque will have a hard time adhering to them.
The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. If you have gingivitis, your gums may become red, swollen and bleed easily. At this stage, the disease is still reversible and can usually be eliminated by a professional cleaning at a dental office, followed by daily brushing and flossing.
Some factors increase the risk of developing gum disease. They are:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Genetics
- Crooked teeth that are hard to keep clean
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes
- Medications, including steroids, certain types of anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some calcium channel blockers and oral contraceptives
There are some warning signs that can signal a gum disease problem. If you experience any of the following symptoms, Dr. Zhou will treat gingivitis for you:
- Gums that bleed easily
- Red, swollen, tender gums
- Receding gums
- Persistent bad breath or bad taste
- Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
- Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- Any change in the fit of partial dentures
Our dentist may recommend that you schedule extra professional teeth cleanings. Our dentist will clean your teeth by removing all of the plaque and tartar with a small, metal tool. If this is not enough, our dentist may perform a deep cleaning treatment called scaling and root planing. Our dentist will first scale your teeth, or remove all of the plaque, all the way down to the gums. Root planing means that your tooth roots will be smoothed so that plaque will have a hard time adhering to them.