Periodontitis, or gum disease, begins with gum inflammation, also known as gingivitis. Gingivitis is a common dental issue that is marked by swollen, red, or bleeding gums. Many patients with gum inflammation may find that their gums bleed when they brush or floss their teeth.
Although a dentist can reverse gingivitis, it is harder to reverse periodontitis. Dr. Matthew Gerald offers periodontal disease treatment in his Vienna, VA dental office to our patients. Healthy gums support healthy and stable teeth. Maintaining the health of your gums is an important part of routine dental care in our Vienna dentist office.
We work with patients who have chronic gum disease concerns and help them keep their gum health stable between visits to avoid advanced disease and the development of additional dental health concerns. Treating gum inflammation and gum disease at our dental practice can help you restore your best smile.
Signs of Gum Disease
Gum disease is a serious condition that can cause pain, swelling, and bleeding in your gums. Bacteria that accumulates on your teeth and gums leads to inflammation and infection, causing gum disease. If you don’t address it in time, gum disease can lead to tooth loss and other serious health problems. Some of the most common signs of gingivitis and periodontitis include the following:
- Bleeding gums
- Gum recession
- Pain in your gums
- Shifting teeth
- Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods
- Pain when chewing or brushing your teeth
- Pus between your teeth and gums
- Mouth sores
- Red and swollen gums
- Tender gums
- Loose teeth
- Bone loss
If you have notice any changes in your smile, it might be a good idea to seek help as soon as possible. Dr. Gerald will provide you with immediate care to stop your symptoms from getting worse.
Patients with severe gum disease can lose their teeth and suffer from bone loss in the jaw. Our team wants patients to avoid the need for unneeded problems that require extensive restorative or cosmetic treatment. The goal of Dr. Gerald and his team is to always protect the teeth and gums from damage.
Periodontal Disease Treatment in Vienna, VA
Schedule routine visits with Dr. Gerald and his team so that we can help you combat gum disease. Antibacterial rinses are an option we provide in our office that can help patients with red, swollen, or irritated gums. This rinse helps remove harmful bacteria from the teeth and gums.
Scaling and root planing are effective treatments that provide a deep clean around and beneath the gums. gingival retraction helps remove bacteria from the gum line. Scaling removes plaque, or a buildup of bacteria, from the gums. Root planing helps combat symptoms like gum recession by smoothing down the rough surfaces of infected tooth roots.
Additionally, Dr. Gerald provides a full menu of restorative dentistry treatments to fix any damage created by gum disease. He offers dental bridges, dentures, and dental implants for missing teeth. Damaged or decayed teeth can be treated with dental crowns. Every attempt will be made to preserve the natural tooth since that is best for your oral health. However, if Dr. Gerald cannot save the tooth, he will have to extract it.
Periodontal Disease FAQs
How long does it take to recover from a periodontal cleaning?
Depending on the depth of the procedure and the location in the mouth, you may experience swelling, pain, and bleeding for a couple of hours. In some cases, the affected area may bleed and feel tender when you brush your teeth. In most cases, this temporary discomfort should fade away after 7–14 days.
How do you prevent periodontitis?
Good oral hygiene is the most effective way to prevent periodontitis, a serious gum disease that can cause tooth loss and other health issues. Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly is essential for good oral hygiene and can help reduce the risk of periodontitis. It is crucial to brush for at least two minutes each morning and night, as well as having a good daily flossing routine. Additionally, visiting your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings can help detect any signs of gum disease early on so that your dentist can treat it before it becomes more serious.
What antibiotics are used for periodontal disease?
In most cases, antibiotics like tetracycline hydrochloride, doxycycline, and minocycline can help to alleviate periodontitis. These antibiotics can kill bacteria, calm inflammation, and halt collagenase (a protein which destroys the connective tissue). Taking these medications according to your doctor’s instructions can help reduce the symptoms of periodontitis and improve your oral health.
Can periodontal disease make you sick?
Yes, periodontal disease can have an effect on your overall health. The symptoms of an oral infection can be similar to those of the flu. In the case of gum disease, or periodontitis, patients may experience fever, body chills, headaches and bleeding gums.
Recent studies suggest that periodontal disease may be linked to a number of systemic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Therefore, it is important for you to take steps to prevent and treat periodontal disease in order to maintain good overall health.
Is periodontitis genetic?
Dental studies show that your genes may determine your susceptibility to periodontal disease. You could be born with gum inflammation. If you suffer from aggressive periodontitis, you’ll experience a dramatic reduction in the bone that surrounds some of your teeth. It may affect all of your teeth in extreme cases.
Request a Consultation for Periodontal Disease Treatment in Vienna, VA
Remove infection at the source with Dr. Gerald’s gum disease treatment. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Gerald on our dental website. You can also contact us at (703) 721-4796. Our dental office also sees patients from Fairfax, Falls Church, Oakton, and Northern Virginia. Please let our team know if you have any further questions or concerns.