Keep your gums healthy and your teeth strong at River District Smiles Dentistry!
Everything about gum disease
Healthy gums are essential to achieving a healthy smile. You can trust River District Smiles Dentistry to treat gingivitis (gum disease) and keep you smiling for years. Our caring experts are proud to offer the latest dental technology, treatments, and periodontal services in a comforting environment.
What is gum disease?
Maintain Your Oral Health
Have you noticed a change in your gums, gum line, or gum tissue? You may be suffering from an oral illness called gum disease. Gum disease is a progressive periodontal disease that occurs in two stages.
It often begins as gingivitis, which is characterized by inflammation and irritation of the gums. At this stage, gum disease is easy to treat with good oral hygiene, routine dental cleaning, and at-home care.
Our dental hygienist will perform a deep cleaning to remove plaque and restore your oral and gum health and prevent gum disease.
What causes gum disease?
Patient Education Essentials
Gum disease stems from bacterial plaque and tartar buildup due to inadequate oral care, including missed dental cleanings. These lead to tooth infections that harm gums and nearby tissues.
Health and lifestyle factors are linked to an increased risk of gum disease:
- Stress
- Family history
- Smoking and tobacco use
- Alcohol use
- Certain medications
- Diabetes
- Hormonal changes (such as puberty, pregnancy or menopause)
How is gum disease treated?
Patient Education Essentials
At River District Smiles Dentistry, we offer the following services to treat gum disease and restore your oral health:
- Scaling and Root Planing: A deep cleaning performed to remove built-up plaque and tartar and restore your oral health.
- Bone Grafting: A regenerative procedure used to graft material to your damaged jawbones and restore their health following periodontitis.
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Do i need gum disease treatment?
Gingivitis is a very common condition. It affects most American adults aged 30 and older at some point in their lives.
What are the stages of gum disease?
What are my Symptoms?Gingivitis
Gingivitis presents without painful symptoms, which is why many patients don’t realize anything is wrong until their condition worsens.
Periodontitis
If left untreated, gingivitis can progress into more advanced stages known as periodontitis. Periodontitis causes receding gums and permanent damage to the tissues that support your teeth.
Advanced Gum Disease
Severe periodontitis can also result in tooth loss. Advanced gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss in adult patients.
Do I Need Gum Disease Treatment?
If you experience any of the following symptoms, be sure to call us today:
- Gums that bleed easily when brushing and flossing
- Red, swollen, or puffy gums
- Tender gums
- Receding gums
- Changes in the bite (how the teeth come together)
- Persistent bad breath (halitosis)
- Bad taste in mouth
- The formation of pockets between the teeth and gums
- Pus between the teeth and gums
- Loose Teeth