When people think of oral healthcare they often think of teeth, but your gums are just as important to your overall oral health. In order to ensure your ongoing oral health, you need to take proper care of your gums and undergo periodontal therapy if any concerns arise. Below is more information about gum therapy, gum disease, treatment options, and more. If you have any further questions, reach out to My Pompano Dentist. We’re happy to answer any questions and schedule an appointment for an examination if you are experiencing any issues with your gums.

What Is Pompano Beach Gum Disease?

Gum disease is a progressive condition that is caused by bacteria and plaque buildup along and below the gumline. The disease goes through different stages—beginning with gingivitis and continuing on to periodontitis. While gingivitis is reversible, periodontitis is not.

Gingivitis is characterized by minor inflammation, redness, swelling, and bleeding (often when brushing). This condition should be addressed as soon as any symptoms emerge. If it is not taken care of early on, it will advance to periodontitis.

Periodontitis is an advanced form of gum disease that is irreversible. At this point, there is more severe damage to the gums and bone loss. You will likely experience pain when doing things like biting and chewing. If it is not treated, the teeth may begin to shift and even fall out.

Gingivitis is reversible and the treatment of gingivitis will stop the progression of the disease. With proper care, gingivitis will go away entirely. In order to properly treat your gum disease, you need to set an appointment as soon as you notice any signs.

What Signs Should I Look For?

Below are some common signs of gum disease you need to look out for:

⋅ Bleeding gums
⋅ Gum recession
⋅ Teeth shifting
⋅ Bad breath
⋅ Swelling
⋅ Large gaps between teeth

If your teeth have begun shifting, your gums are receding, and/or you are noticing gaps between your teeth you need to schedule an appointment with My Pompano Dentist immediately. These are symptoms of more advanced gum disease, and you may be at risk of severe bone loss and even the loss of teeth.

What Is Pompano Beach Periodontal (Gum) Therapy?

Periodontal (gum) therapy is a catchall term for different types of gum treatments. This includes both surgical and non-surgical methods to treat the gums. A couple of common treatment methods that fall under the umbrella of “periodontal therapy” include:

Deep Cleaning

A deep cleaning (also known as a “scaling and root planing”) is a procedure in which a dentist cleans at and below the gumline of the patient. This is more advanced than a general cleaning and is often used in the treatment of more advanced gingivitis and periodontitis. The procedure requires a general anesthetic to avoid any pain, although there may still be pressure and discomfort. The amount of time the procedure takes depends on how many quadrants need to be addressed and to what extent. If all four quadrants need to undergo scaling and root planing, you may need to visit the dentist for more than one appointment to fully complete the procedure.

Gum Surgery

If recession has become severe, you may need to undergo gum recession surgery. During this procedure, gum tissue is transplanted to the area in which the gum has receded. Another gum surgery is gum flap surgery. This involves the lifting of gum tissue to clean the roots of your teeth. Once bacteria, plaque, and tartar are removed, the gums are sutured back in place.

What Happens If I Don’t Undergo Treatment?

If you have gum disease and you don’t undergo treatment, it will only continue to progress. This will lead to bone loss and irreversible teeth loss. It will not resolve itself on its own—especially if you have developed periodontitis. No amount of at-home care will ever reverse advanced periodontal disease.

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954.751.3246

How Can I Avoid Gum Disease?

In order to avoid gum disease entirely, you’ll need to take proper care of your oral health. This means visiting the dentist every six months for a cleaning and checkup, along with proper at-home care. Make sure you brush and floss your teeth twice a day, every day. If you notice any discoloration, swelling, bleeding, or other issues with your gums, set an appointment with My Pompano Dentist so Dr. Browne can examine your gums and determine the cause of the issue.
If you haven’t been to the dentist for a cleaning and checkup in a while, now is as good of a time as any! You don’t need to wait for an oral health issue to occur before you visit the dentist.

Insurance Coverage

Many insurance plans cover deep cleanings—at least to some extent. All insurance plans cover general cleanings and checkups. If you are curious about your level of coverage, please reach out to your insurance provider. If you have questions about out-of-pocket pricing, give us a call and we can discuss costs and payment options with you.

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