Gum Disease Treatment

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss and decay. If left untreated, it can lead to advanced periodontitis, tooth loss, and a whole host of other health issues. At Lynnwood Dental, we offer gum disease treatment in Knoxville, TN and we give you the education and treatment options you need to stay on track to prevent the disease from recurring.

First Stage: Gingivitis

The earliest stage of gum disease is gingivitis. It is a minor periodontal condition that can trigger gum sensitivity such as swelling, bleeding, and redness in the gums. This condition is often overlooked due to minor amounts of pain or even no pain at all in the early stages. It is usually brought on by repetitive poor oral hygiene. If you don’t brush and floss daily, you could be susceptible to this disease.

There are many predisposed diseases or conditions that can also lead to the exacerbation of gum disease such as:

• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Genetics
• Stress
• Diet
• Hormones
• Drugs
• HIV
• Medication

Advanced Periodontitis

Periodontitis is the second stage of gum disease after gingivitis. If gingivitis is left untreated, plaque will spread in and under the gums creating pockets of infection. The bacteria in plaque creates toxins that will cause inflammation in the gums. This inflammation leads to tissue deterioration and infection. The gums also move out and develop deeper pockets destroying bone and becoming more and more infected leading to the removal of teeth.

How to Prevent Gum Disease

At Lynnwood Dental, taking care of our patients is of the utmost importance to us. We will work with you to create a plan to fight all forms of gum disease. Our team creates a customized schedule of home care and routine visits to put you on the right path. You will play a key role in working with Dr. Boren to achieve your goals and to offset the growth of gum disease.

Some key steps in fighting this disease are:

1. Daily flossing and brushing after meals and several times a day as recommended by a professional. Plaque is constantly growing on your teeth and will eventually lead to gum disease. If we don’t remove plaque, it can turn into tartar, harden, and decay our teeth.
2. Routine check-ups and cleanings with your dental provider. Depending on your current condition, these should be up to 2-4 times a year. Your routine visit will be composed of a full comprehensive exam. Our hygienist will check for plaque, assess your oral hygiene, and go over all cleaning methods with you to create a maintenance schedule. Any required X-rays will also be taken at this time as well as testing your gums to see if there is any sensitivity.

We are here to support and help you fight this disease and to stay on top of your oral health. Our professional team will make sure you get the best care possible so you can catch gum disease early before it does long term damage.

Doing what is advised now can save you costly procedures later. If gum disease is left untreated, you could end up needing oral surgery or other procedures like implants, bridges or dentures. It is always best to try to keep your natural teeth in working condition. If you need braces or other forms of orthodontics you will also want to make sure any sign of gum disease is under control.

If we find signs of this disease, we will immediately treat it and educate you on how to get ahead and beat this problem. Call us today to set up an appointment.