Did you know that up to 50 percent of Americans over the age of 35 suffer from some level of gum disease? This condition may be terribly common, but that doesn’t make it any less harmful to your oral health.

In its earliest stages, gum disease is known as gingivitis and it is reversible with proper care. However, when gingivitis advances into periodontitis, it becomes uncurable. Gum disease may not be reversible, but it is treatable. Silver Spring Smiles provides periodontal treatments to help patients keep their symptoms under control and protect the teeth and gums from further damage.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is caused by the presence of mouth bacteria in the oral tissues. Specifically, it is the pockets of space between the teeth and gums (periodontal pockets) that are most at risk from invasive bacteria. When bacteria are present, they can be as harmful to the soft tissues as they are to the teeth.

The bacteria Streptococcus mutans is present in everyone’s mouths, and good oral hygiene is aimed at reducing its presence. When these bacteria feed on food residues left in the mouth, they create excretions. These acids can leach minerals from tooth enamel and cause cavities. Unfortunately, they can also cause inflammation and tissue death in the gums. This may ultimately lead to tooth loss if not treated appropriately.

Gum disease (periodontitis) may cause several symptoms:

• Redness
• Inflammation of the gums
• Sore, swollen gum tissue
• Sensitivity below the gum line
• Bleeding when you brush or floss the teeth

In addition to these symptoms, periodontitis also leads to gum recession and permanent loss of gum tissue. If left untreated, gum disease can destabilize the teeth. Like a tree without enough soil supporting its roots, teeth without adequate gum tissue are at greater risk of failure.

The best way to avoid gum disease is to practice good oral hygiene at home and visit Silver Spring Smiles every six months for routine check-ups. However, there are many medical conditions, medications, and inheritable genetic factors that may make some patients more prone to gum disease. If you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease, we will recommend periodontal care to address your specific symptoms and reduce the potential long-term damage to your oral health.

Periodontal Treatments

At Silver Spring Smiles, Dr. Dufera provides periodontal treatments to clean and restore the gums to a healthier state.

These treatments may include:

• Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning) – This treatment involves removing plaque and bacteria from the periodontal pockets and the outer surfaces of the teeth, as well as smoothing the roots to give bacteria fewer places to hide and proliferate.
• Gum Surgery – Surgical treatment options may include flap surgery or gum grafting to replace damaged tissue and provide support and protection for the roots of the teeth.
• Medications and Prescription Rinses – Since gum disease is caused by bacteria, patients may be prescribed antibiotics and antiseptic treatments to prevent bacteria from coming back after they have been removed by a deep cleaning.

What to Expect

Periodontal care is highly customized to each patient’s unique symptoms. You may only require one periodontal treatment and a course of medication, or you may need a longer series of treatments. When you visit our office, we will examine your teeth and gums, take x-rays, and write-up your suggested care into a treatment plan. Dr. Dufera will explain the purpose of each treatment and help you understand what you can expect, including cost and timeline for treatment.

Contact Silver Springs Dental Today!

At Silver Spring Smiles, we want all our patients to have healthy teeth and gums for life! If you require periodontal care, call us today at 301-588-5400 to make an appointment.