Gum Disease Treatment in Delray Beach

You don't have to let this oral health problem ruin your smile. Find out the gingivitis symptoms you need to watch out for, whether reversing gum disease is a possibility, and how dentists treat the disease.

What Does Periodontal Disease Mean?

Periodontal disease is commonly called gum disease, and it's a bacterial infection of your gum tissue. Gum disease gingivitis is the initial stage of the disease, and it causes tender and red gum tissue. Since this is a progressive disease, the health of your teeth and gums worsens as the signs of gingivitis remain untreated. Fortunately, our dentists are experts at spotting the early signs and providing necessary treatment for gum disease in Delray Beach.

What Is the Cause of Gingivitis?

If you're wondering what causes gum disease, you might be surprised to learn that the development of this condition starts at home. If you're not brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups, you're at a greater risk of developing gum disease. Practicing good oral hygiene is the only way to prevent plaque and tartar from accumulating on your teeth and along the gum line. The bacteria in these harmful substances can multiply, causing inflammation and irritation of your gums. When this occurs, you might notice gingivitis symptoms like swollen gum tissue and bright red gums. Reversing gum disease is still possible at this point, so it's important to schedule a consultation at our office.

What Are Gum Disease Symptoms?

When gum disease first develops, you might not notice any gingivitis symptoms. However, if you notice blood on your dental floss after flossing your teeth or see blood in the sink after brushing your teeth, call our office to schedule an evaluation for gum disease in Delray Beach. In addition to bleeding gums, these are also symptoms of gingivitis:

• Bright red gum tissue
• Swollen or tender gums
• Persistent bad breath

Even if you have these symptoms, reversing gum disease is still possible if you receive gingivitis treatment at our office right away.

What Are the Warning Signs of Gum Disease?

If you don't receive gingivitis treatment when you first discover the early signs of gingivitis, you'll likely experience additional symptoms as the disease progresses. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, achieving a gum disease cure may still be possible. When you come in for your consultation at our practice, our knowledgeable dentist will examine the health of your gums and check for these symptoms:

• Teeth that appear longer because of receding gums
• Inflamed or infected areas on your gums
• Pus around your gums and teeth
• Loosened teeth

After your examination, your dentist will design a custom treatment plan and let you know whether a gingivitis cure is achievable.

What Are the Gum Disease Stages?

Although there are three stages of periodontal disease, a gingivitis cure is only possible if you receive treatment during the beginning stages of gum disease.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the easiest to treat because it doesn't cause permanent damage to the soft tissues surrounding your teeth. At this stage, your gums may bleed slightly when brushing or flossing, and they may appear red. Fortunately, if you receive treatment from our dentist, the signs of gingivitis will disappear as your gums heal.

Periodontitis

When your gum disease symptoms aren't addressed during the early phase of the disease, it can progress to periodontitis. Unfortunately, periodontitis causes permanent damage to your teeth and gums, so reversing the disease completely isn't possible at this stage.

Advanced Periodontitis

If you have advanced periodontitis, you'll experience severe symptoms as bone and soft tissue are permanently lost. Your teeth will shift and begin to fall out during this stage. Aggressive treatment is needed to restore damaged bone and soft tissue.

How Can You Cure Gingivitis?

The earlier your symptoms are treated, the easier it is to achieve a gingivitis cure. Early treatment includes receiving regular teeth cleanings and following a strict oral hygiene routine at home. Contact us to book your dental evaluation.

What Options Are Available for Gingivitis Treatment?

A deep cleaning treatment called scaling and root planing is a common gum disease treatment. Your dentist may also prescribe antibiotics to eliminate the infection. Surgery to restore lost gum tissue and bone is the only treatment option for advanced periodontitis. Your dentist will carefully explain your treatment options for gum disease in Delray Beach during your consultation.

How Can I Reverse Gum Disease?

"Is gingivitis reversible?" This is a common question to ask your dentist if you've been diagnosed with gum disease. Our skilled dentists can help with a gingivitis cure if your symptoms are caught early. Prompt treatment can halt damage to the supportive structures of your teeth and prevent tooth loss. Give us a call to set up your appointment today.