The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research finds that approximately two in five adults in the United States have some form of periodontal disease by age 30, and most have no idea. That is because gum disease is largely painless in its early stages and progresses quietly beneath the gumline while the rest of the mouth looks and feels fine.
Read on to gain a better understanding of what periodontal disease is, what causes it, how it can affect your physical health, and where to find the best dentist in Houston for gum disease treatment and prevention.
Understanding Gingivitis vs. Periodontitis
Periodontal disease is an infection affecting the gum tissue and the bone supporting the teeth. It begins when bacteria create a thin, sticky film called plaque on the teeth. This plaque feeds on leftover sugars from food and causes gum irritation. If not removed regularly by brushing and flossing, plaque hardens into tartar, a rough deposit that attaches strongly to the tooth surface and cannot be brushed away. Only a dental professional can remove tartar through cleaning. If tartar buildup is left untreated, it triggers inflammation that gradually damages the tissues around the teeth.
There are two main stages of the disease:
- Gingivitis is the earliest, reversible stage of gum disease. During this stage, the gums become inflamed, swell, and bleed during cleaning. With professional dental cleanings and consistent home care, gingivitis can be fully resolved.
- Periodontitis is the more advanced stage of gum disease, in which the infection spreads below the gumline and begins breaking down the bone and connective tissue that anchor the teeth.
Because gum disease is usually painless, many people have no idea they have it, allowing it to progress for months or years unnoticed.
Early Signs of Gum Disease
Catching the symptoms of gum disease early can make all the difference in how well your gums respond to treatment and how fast you get your oral health back on track. Symptoms of gum disease include:
- Bleeding gums during brushing or flossing are typically the first visible sign of gum disease, but many people overlook this sign and assume they are brushing or flossing too aggressively
- Persistent bad breath that returns even after brushing indicates that bacteria are active below the gumline in pockets a toothbrush cannot reach
- Gums that look swollen or feel tender are also early indicators of active inflammation related to gum disease
- Receding gums happen as gum disease advances past gingivitis but not quite to periodontitis
- Loose or shifting teeth are a sign of advanced periodontitis that usually requires extensive treatment and tooth extractions
Periodontal screenings during regular dental checkups include measuring the depth of the pockets between the teeth and gums, which a dentist or periodontist uses to assess how far the disease has progressed and what treatment is most appropriate.
The Link Between Gum Disease and Your Physical Health
While gum disease has the biggest effect on the health of your mouth, it also has an effect on your physical health. The American Heart Association published scientific research that periodontal disease is associated with an elevated risk of heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure. Their study also found that effective treatment of gum disease could potentially reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease.
The connection between gum disease and physical health isn’t fully understood, but scientists hypothesize that when gum tissue is infected and inflamed, bacteria can enter the bloodstream through the damaged tissue lining the gum pockets, contributing to arterial plaque development.
Can You Get Dental Veneers or Dental Implants With Gum Disease?
Gum health matters a great deal if you’re planning on getting any cosmetic dental work.
- Porcelain veneers rely on healthy, stable gum tissue to stay secure and look natural. If gum disease progresses after placement, the gum line may continue to recede, exposing the edges of the veneers.
- Dental implants also rely on healthy gums, because the dental implant anchors directly into the jawbone, and if periodontal disease erodes that bone, it can weaken the structural foundation an implant needs to stay in position.
Before getting a smile makeover, you’ll need to address any signs of gum disease, even mild gingivitis.
Periodontal Disease Treatment: From Scaling and Root Planing to Surgical Treatment
Treatment for gum disease depends on the stage of the disease. When gum disease is caught in its early stages, a professional dental cleaning is usually sufficient to treat the condition. Once the infection has moved below the gumline, a more thorough intervention is needed. The most common first-line treatment for mild to moderate periodontitis is called scaling and root planing, a procedure many patients hear referred to simply as a deep teeth cleaning. Scaling removes all the plaque and tartar above and below the gumline, cleaning down to the base of each pocket. Root planing follows, smoothing the root surfaces to help the gums reattach to the teeth and to discourage bacteria from re-adhering to the cleaned surfaces.
Daily Habits and Dental Care That Prevent Gum Disease
Preventing gum disease starts at home, with creating and sticking to a daily oral hygiene routine:
- Brush twice a day to remove the plaque that accumulates on tooth surfaces
- Floss once a day to clean the spaces between the teeth and just below the gumline where a toothbrush cannot reach
- Use an antibacterial mouth rinse that can add an extra layer of protection against the bacteria that drive gum infections
Tobacco use is the most significant risk factor for developing gum disease, and it also makes treatment less effective once the disease is present. Avoiding tobacco gives the gum tissue a far better chance of staying healthy over time, and it is one of the most direct changes a person can make for their oral health.
Regular professional dental cleanings every six months are also important because this time allows a dental hygienist to remove the tartar that daily brushing leaves behind and gives a dental provider the opportunity to catch early inflammation before it advances.
Finding the Best Dentist in Houston for Gum Disease Treatment and Prevention
Gum disease is quiet and can progress quickly. Choosing a dentist who can help you prevent it and help you manage it if it’s already started is important. At Sapphire Smiles in Houston, our dental checkups include a full periodontal evaluation, so you never have to question the state of your gum health. For those who need gum disease treatment, Dr. Erian and our team build personalized treatment plans for any stage of periodontitis.
While our patients know us as the best cosmetic dentists in Houston, our success in cosmetic dentistry is rooted in building strong foundations for smile makeovers. That means providing the best gum disease treatment in Houston.
Ready to see the best dentist in Houston for gum disease prevention and treatment?
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