Gum Treatment is Comfortable and Gentle at Dr. Steven Curry, DDS
Dr. Curry and his staff know that gum (periodontal) disease, can damage the bone and soft tissue surrounding the teeth. Gum disease starts when harmful bacteria accumulate. It attacks silently and painlessly. Most people don’t know anything is wrong until it’s too late.
Plaque is the sticky, thick biofilm that gathers at the gum line. It’s actually a mass of bacteria.
Tartar is big colonies of bacteria (plaque) that have calcified into hard deposits on the teeth and gums. Tartar is often mistaken for a piece of broken tooth when a chunk of it breaks off.
Gum Treatment Saves Teeth
Over time, the bacterial colonies grow larger and work their way deeper and deeper into the areas around the teeth. This is when patients start noticing some signs and symptoms of developing periodontal disease:
• Painless reddening or swelling of the gums
• Bleeding during brushing
• Unpleasant mouth odor
• Tooth movement/mobility
Eventually, these early signs will lead to:
• Gaps and larger hollows in the bone around the teeth
• Tooth loss
Having gum disease doesn’t mean you have to immediately accept wearing dentures. Treatments are available and we have helped many patients with periodontal disease keep their own, natural teeth. With better treatments and improved patient education, much of the damage of gum disease can be corrected. As with most health problems, early detection and treatment provides the best defense.
Good home care and daily removal of bacterial plaque from the teeth and gum line are key components to managing this condition. We recommend careful brushing multiple times a day (especially where the tooth meets the gum) and using a water pic to further dislodge plaque. This should be followed by flossing between teeth and the use of a good antibacterial mouth rinse. Regular dental visits to have your gums evaluated and to have thorough cleanings are very important if you have a periodontal problem. For gum health, we also recommend taking multi-vitamins with larger doses of Vitamin C to assist healing.