Your gums act as the foundation of your oral health
Gum disease works to erode this foundation by causing inflammation that inflames gum tissue and can lead to permanent damage that may result in tooth loss if patients don’t receive periodontal care from our doctors at Mosley Dental.
Early-stage gum disease, also known as gingivitis, causes inflamed, tender, sore, and bleeding gums, especially after brushing and flossing. You may have developed gingivitis if you notice blood along your gums or in your spit after brushing. Early-stage gingivitis is reversible, but the disease will worsen into more severe periodontitis if not treated.
Periodontitis is an advanced form of gum disease where inflammation attacks the foundational tissue and bone structure that holds your teeth into position. As the disease progresses, you’ll begin to notice gum tissue pulling away from the base of your teeth, pockets developing along the gum line, and teeth shifting and moving. Without treatment, periodontal disease will cause permanent tooth loss and irreparable damage to your long-term oral health.
We Can Help
For patients in need of periodontal dental care in SE Portland, our team at Mosley Dental can help. From early-stage gingivitis to late-stage periodontal disease, the type of care you require will depend on the current health of your gums and your previous oral health history. Treatment options may include:
Treatment options may include:
Professional cleaning
Early-stage gingivitis can often be treated after one professional cleaning by our team of comforting dental hygienists. A dental cleaning will remove plaque deposits from the surface of your teeth and along the gum line to reduce inflammation. By brushing and flossing daily, patients will see their gum health improve after receiving a cleaning.
Scaling and root planing
More advanced cases of gum disease require a deeper cleaning to treat. Scaling is when our dentist or dental hygienist removes all the tartar and plaque above and below the gum line. Planing is the process of smoothing the roots of your teeth to remove any bacteria or debris. This will help your gums reattach to the base of your teeth better, enabling the healing process to accelerate.
Periodontal surgery
Severe cases of gum disease where permanent damage has occurred may require surgery to correct. Gum or bone graft surgery may be necessary to restore your smile to health. Our team will refer you to a periodontist if this type of care is required.
When your gums are tender, swollen or bleed easily, you may have gingivitis. At Mosley Dental, we believe it is important to treat periodontal disease symptoms so that they don’t get worse.
Some patients have special conditions that need special attention. The screening process (probing) evaluates each patient’s jaw bone level and support around each tooth. If disease is prominent in an area (a single tooth or multiple teeth) a procedure called Scaling and Root Planing will be needed to remove areas of bacterial colonization (calculus and plaque). A follow up appointment and more frequent hygiene appointments will be required to keep your oral health at its optimum state.
Here are ways you can help prevent periodontal disease:
- Be sure to brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day and clean between your teeth daily with floss or other interdental devices.
- If you need extra help in controlling plaque and gingivitis, your dentist may recommend that you use an antimicrobial mouth rinse.
- Regular dental visits and professional cleanings are essential.
- Eat a balanced diet for good general health and limit snacks.
- It’s essential to keep periodontal disease at bay because patients with this condition can be at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), adverse pregnancy outcomes, diabetes, pulmonary disease, stroke, and prostate cancer. This is especially true as epidemiologic data estimate that approximately 60 million adults in the US have moderate to advanced periodontitis.
In advanced periodontitis, teeth lose more support as the disease continues to destroy the periodontal ligament and bone. Unless treated, the affected teeth frequently become loose, infected, and may even fall out or require removal by a dentist.
How would I know if I had periodontal disease?
- Gums that bleed easily
- Gums are red, swollen, or tender
- Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
- Pus between the teeth when the gums are pressed
- 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.
Scaling and root planing is a common treatment for periodontal disease. This method allows Dr. Mosley and a registered dental hygienist to provide a deeper cleaning between the compromised teeth and gums, preventing progression of the disease.