Gum Disease Treatment - North Miami, FL
The Correlation between
Gum Disease and Your Health
How Gum Disease Can Affect
More Than Just Your Smile
While gum disease may start quietly, years of research have revealed the correlation between gum disease and your overall health. At first, you may notice your gums feel tender or bleed when you brush and floss. If left unchecked, this infection can cause more than just painful gums. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss, bone loss and even cause systemic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes complications and stroke, as well as premature labor and low birthweight (PLBW) babies.
Our skilled, caring dental team at DentalVana offers the highly effective, minimally invasive treatments you need to keep infection under control and maintain proper oral health for years to come. We partner with multiple insurance companies to ensure your entire treatment process is easy and painless. Contact us at the first appearance of symptoms. Don’t wait for further complications to affect your life!
The Stages of Gum Disease
It has been estimated that 75% of Americans have some form of gum disease, which can cause otherwise avoidable dental problems, and can also be linked to serious health complications. There are millions of germs that live in your mouth. If you suffer from gum disease, you have open wounds in your gums that allow the bacteria to enter directly into your bloodstream and circulate throughout your body. These bacteria can relocate to other parts of your body, and have the potential to cause disease in your organs and systems.
Stage 1: Gingivitis
This earliest stage of gum disease is caused by plaque buildup around the gumline, which causes inflammation of the gums. If you neglect to brush or floss your teeth daily, this plaque buildup will trap bacteria, which can lead to gum disease. Gingivitis causes inflammation of the gums. Infected gums, which should otherwise be pink, will appear red and swollen, and you could experience bleeding when you brush or floss. However, gingivitis can still be reversed at this point. The bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place have not yet been affected.
Stage 2: Periodontitis
If gingivitis is left untreated, the condition will become periodontitis. At this stage, the supporting bones and fibers that hold your teeth in place have been irreversibly damaged. Your gums begin to form “pockets,” which are deep hollow areas around the teeth that trap food, plaque and bacteria. Your gums will recede and form gaps between your teeth. Immediate treatment is necessary to prevent further damage and tooth loss.
Stage 3: Advanced Periodontitis
In this final stage of gum disease, periodontitis has been left untreated and has become advanced periodontitis. Bacteria that were allowed to grow, spread and cause destruction have now destroyed the connective tissues and bones that support the teeth. The pockets that formed in the previous stage have become much deeper. Your teeth can shift or loosen. Loose teeth that move around in the mouth may affect your bite. At this stage, aggressive treatment is needed to save the teeth.
Key Gum Disease Treatments
LANAP
The Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) allows our dentist in North Miami, FL to treat patients’ gum disease with less pain, discomfort, recession and sensitivity, while providing predictable long-term results.
Scaling and Root Planing
The non-surgical treatment scaling and root planing is often the first procedure in the fight against gum disease. Scaling removes the bacterial plaque from above and below the gumline, and root planing smooths the tooth surfaces to encourage healthy tissue reattachment and protection against future infection.
Osseous Surgery
Osseous surgery is the most aggressive treatment for advanced gum disease in North Miami, FL . It involves removing the diseased gum tissue and repairing the damaged bone to restore support to the teeth. This surgery also removes the bacteria and calculus trapped in the deep pockets between the teeth.
Periodontal Maintenance
Once gum disease has been comprehensively treated, periodontal maintenance is recommended to ensure it does not return. This procedure is completed every 3-4 months and involves a deep cleaning of the teeth at and below the gumline to remove bacteria and plaque accumulation. These deep cleanings will replace your regularly scheduled hygiene appointments.
The Systemic Health Conditions Affected
Taking good care of your mouth does more than just ensure you have a bright, beautiful smile. Having a healthy mouth and a healthy body go hand-in-hand. Research over the years has shown that gum disease affects not only your esthetics, but also your systemic health!
Smiling Shouldn’t Have to Be Painful
The great news is that gum disease is preventable, and even curable in its early stages! Just be sure to brush and floss your teeth, and get regular professional teeth cleanings and checkups. If you do require care for gum disease, we’re the team to trust. We provide multiple treatments for gum disease in North Miami, FL, depending on the severity of your case and the stage of gum disease you’re in. We’ll begin with a consultation that includes an oral examination.
Our dentist will assess your current oral health and provide you with a customized treatment plan that reflects your unique needs. Depending on your treatment and your anxiety level, we may offer calming sedation dentistry to guarantee you’re comfortable throughout your visit. With proper treatment, maintenance and good oral health habits, gum disease doesn’t have to return to damage your smile in the future. Most importantly, a smile free from bacteria and infection is part of an overall healthy lifestyle!