Treatment for Gum Disease

You may be aware of the importance of keeping your teeth clean and healthy. But how much thought do you put towards your gums? The gums are the foundation of your smile. If they become irritated or infected, your entire oral health is at risk. In fact, untreated gum disease can lead to tooth loss as well as heart disease, stroke and premature births. At Three Creek Dentistry, we take your gum health seriously. We’ve equipped our Derwood practice to offer top quality treatments for all stages of gum disease, from mild gingivitis to advanced periodontitis.

Patients who have the beginning stages of gum disease, such as red, puffy or bleeding gums, may benefit from a professional cleaning and better oral hygiene to restore their gum health. However, if infection has set in within these soft oral tissues, it may be necessary to perform a scaling and root planing procedure (deep cleaning) or other advanced general dentistry treatment to eliminate harmful bacteria and encourage the gums to reattach to the tooth roots. Gum disease is most easily reversed when detected and treated early. Therefore, we encourage patients to maintain their routine dental visits and monitor the condition of their gums at home.

Symptoms and Causes of Periodontal Disease

Knowing how to protect yourself from gum disease begins with understanding how it begins. When oral hygiene habits slack, plaque will accumulate or build up on the tooth surfaces and along the gum line. While plaque is a colorless, sticky film that can be easily removed with your toothbrush, if it is allowed to remain, it will harden into stubborn tartar and calculus deposits. Food debris, hardened plaque and bacteria work together to further irritate the gums. Deep gum pockets can eventually form as the gums pull away from the tooth roots. If left untreated, the infection can destroy the underlying bone and cause the teeth to become loose or unstable.

Since early treatment is critical, it is important to educate yourself on the symptoms or warning signs of gum disease. If you are experiencing the following, please make an appointment to see our skilled dental team sooner rather than later:

• Receding gums or deep pocket depth
• Red, swollen or tender gums
• Bleeding gums during brushing or flossing
• Loose teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Sudden changes in your bite

At Three Creek Dentistry, you’ll find that we deliver state-of-the-art dentistry in an environment that feels like home. Let us give you the relief you deserve for your bleeding, receding or infected gums. We welcome patients from Rockville, Gaithersburg, and the surrounding communities! Contact our Derwood office today.