Gum Disease in Burleson

What Causes Gum Disease?

Gingivitis causes often boil down to oral hygiene deficiencies. A sticky, bacteria-laden biofilm called plaque forms constantly on teeth. Brushing twice daily for about two minutes at a time and flossing at least once a day removes plaque and controls your oral bacteria load. If the plaque isn’t removed sufficiently, it can harden into tartar, which must be professionally removed, and the bacteria it contains can infect and inflame the gums.

The causes of gingivitis can also include certain health conditions. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hormonal shifts, and some blood disorders can increase the risk of bleeding gums. However, because bleeding gum causes typically boil down to insufficient dental hygiene, professional cleaning and boosting your at-home hygiene routine will form the foundation of any gingivitis cure.

What Are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?

The inflammation can fly under the radar for months before you notice other gingivitis symptoms. Symptoms of gingivitis can include:

• Red, puffy, or easily irritated gums
• Chronic bad breath
• A bad taste in the mouth
• Bleeding when you brush or floss

These issues are present in more advanced stages as well, but symptoms of periodontal disease can also include:

• A receding gum line
• Teeth that appear longer or with exposed roots
• Increased dental sensitivity
• Bleeding or pus along the gum line, even when not brushing or flossing
• Teeth that feel loose in their sockets

If you notice any gum infection symptoms, please contact our dental office right away. We create personalized gingivitis treatment plans for gum disease in Burleson and can help restore your smile and protect your health.

Signs of Gingivitis to Watch For

At your exam, our Burleson dentist will check you for signs of periodontal disease, early gingivitis, and other signs of gum disease in humans, including:

• Puffy or swollen gums
• Gums that appear to pull away from your teeth or visible tooth roots
• Loose teeth
• Increasing gaps between teeth or a bite that no longer meets properly
• Visible pus at the gum line
• Red, inflamed, or otherwise discolored gums
• Inflammation around the teeth

Early signs of gingivitis should be reported to our Burleson dental office. Our dentist will check for additional periodontitis or gingivitis signs and initiate a gingivitis treatment plan to address infection, combat inflammation, and stabilize your smile.

The Stages of Gum Disease

Gingivitis

Gingivitis refers to the first stage of gum disease. Your gums might be slightly redder or a little puffy, and they might bleed a bit when you floss. Other gum disease symptoms might be mild or easy to overlook but can include tenderness or discomfort at this stage. Our Burleson dentists check for signs of gingivitis at each dental exam and cleaning, ensuring we can treat it at the earliest, most manageable stages.

Periodontitis

The later stages of gum disease are linked to significant dental damage. Once the infection penetrates below the gum line, the teeth’s supporting structures, including ligaments and bone tissue, are affected. Gum disease symptoms are more obvious at this point and can include teeth that are loose or tilted or that feel like they've moved out of position. The pockets that develop around the teeth are prone to trapping plaque, food debris, and bacteria, allowing the infection associated with gum disease to penetrate more deeply, and treatment must be more aggressive to stop the infection from progressing.

Advanced Periodontitis

This is the last stage, and once you have advanced periodontitis, you have suffered serious bone and tissue loss. Teeth may be loose and shift position, leading to bite issues. Some may even fall out. At this point, reversing gum disease damage is not possible, but the infection can be controlled. Once treatment has been initiated successfully, we can also discuss your options for restoring lost teeth or bone tissue.

If you have noticed gingivitis symptoms, contact our Burleson dental office and schedule an exam right away. We'll design a treatment plan and a gingivitis cure that meets your needs.

How to Cure Gum Disease

When diagnosed with gum disease in Burleson, you may wonder, “Can gingivitis be cured?” As long as you are diagnosed early and in the first stages, a gingivitis cure can completely restore your dental health. Treatment will likely include a professional dental cleaning and a strict dental hygiene routine that includes brushing regularly, flossing daily, and possibly using an antimicrobial mouth rinse.

A periodontitis cure may include a deep professional cleaning called scaling and root planing, which removes plaque buildup along the gums and buildup from the periodontal pockets. You will need to continue care at home with an improved dental hygiene routine. Our dentist in Burleson may recommend additional steps as well, such as bone transplants and dentures or dental implants, to restore your teeth. Our dentist in Burleson can help you decide on the right gum disease cure for your needs.

How to Treat Gingivitis

Treating gingivitis symptoms requires an aggressive approach and both professional and at-home care. In later stages, including periodontitis, you may need more intensive care, deep cleanings, and treatment with antibiotics or antimicrobial mouth washes. You may even be referred to a specialist, in extreme cases, or need surgery to protect your gums and other oral tissues. With the right care, controlling, stopping, and even reversing gum disease is possible.

Symptoms of gum inflammation could spell trouble for your smile. Contact us today at our Burleson office to schedule your exam and get back on the road to dental health.