Periodontal Disease Treatment in Coeur d’Alene, ID
Forms of gum disease
There are two forms of gum disease. The first kind, gingivitis, is the more mild form of the disease that is easy to treat and reverse in the early stages. If gingivitis is left undiagnosed an untreated, poor oral hygiene makes your teeth vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and gingivitis can quickly become the more advanced form of gum disease known as periodontitis, or periodontal disease.
Both gingivitis and periodontitis are the results of infection. Plaque on your teeth hardens into a tartar just below the gum line, causing your gums to pull away from your teeth and expose the soft tissue in your jaw to bacteria. In the early stages of gingivitis, your gum line will become irritated, but without diagnosis and treatment, the infection will quickly spread to your jaw and cause serious and painful inflammation.
Symptoms and side effects of periodontal disease
At first, you might not notice symptoms of gum disease. However, mild forms of gingivitis often cause red, tender, or swollen gums that may bleed when you brush your teeth or floss. As the infection spreads and become serious, your gum line will actually recede away from your teeth to expose more tooth enamel while bacteria works to permanently destroy soft tissue and bone.
Gum disease is a serious issue because it affects more than just your teeth. Since periodontal disease is an infection, the bacteria can quickly spread to other parts of your body, with some studies linking gum disease to an increased risk of heart disease, respiratory problems, osteoporosis, diabetes complications, and more.
Gingivitis and periodontal disease treatment options
Preventing and reversing gingivitis all starts with good oral hygiene at home. Brushing and flossing away food particles lodged in between teeth prevents bacteria and plaque from forming around your gums. Advanced periodontal disease causes permanent damage and is not curable. Our dental team will schedule frequent checkups with you to monitor the stages of periodontal disease and create a plan for management. Techniques including root planning and scaling help remove the plaque deposits and rough areas on teeth and roots, while an antibiotic schedule can kill bacteria. In severe cases or instances where periodontal treatment is avoided for long periods, bone loss can weaken the teeth to the point they are loose and need to be permanently removed.