Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease
Inflamed or bleeding gums while brushing or flossing your teeth may very well be one of the early signs of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. Gum disease can be devastating as you can end up with an infection in your gums that can endanger your overall health and well-being. It can also set you up to be forced to have all your teeth removed since your gums will continue to recede until they can no longer hold your teeth in place. Periodontal disease needs to be treated quickly and adequately to stop the progression of gum disease.
What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is an infection that destroys the soft tissue in your gums as well as your jawbone if it is left untreated. Periodontal disease can be prevented or at least slowed down through good oral hygiene and regular dental appointments. There are two stages of periodontal disease, including gingivitis and advanced periodontitis. The treatment prescribed will depend on how advanced the disease is based on the symptoms that you are experiencing.
Gum Disease Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of periodontal disease include swollen gums, bad breath, or bleeding while cleaning or flossing your teeth. These are early signs of gingivitis. Advanced periodontitis symptoms are more severe and can include loose teeth or loss of teeth, change in the overall bite of your mouth, and the gums pulling away from the teeth.
Dr. James Moran and his team will review your medical history to identify any risk factors you may have. And they will perform a visual examination of your mouth that includes measuring your periodontal pockets and conducting x-rays to determine if there is any bone loss.
Treatment for Periodontal Disease
The type of treatment you receive will depend on the severity of your gum disease. Dr. Moran’s goal for any remedy will be to get rid of any infection and stop the damage to your gum tissue and jawbone. Other treatment options include improving the oral hygiene that you do at home and managing different conditions, such as quitting smoking or other tobacco use. He can also perform scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning to remove tartar buildup from the tooth below the gum line, or prescribe topical or oral antibiotics to control any infection.
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For advanced gum disease, Dr. Moran will do a bone graft to stimulate regrowth of the jawbone and help prevent tooth loss or a soft tissue graft to add back tissue that has been lost. He will also perform pocket reduction surgery, which will lift the gum tissue back into its proper place.
If you reside in Fallbrook, California, and are suffering from early signs of gum disease, you can make an appointment today with Dr. James Moran and his team to get started with the proper treatment and regimen to prevent further progression. Call (760) 284-8477 to book an appointment.
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