Gum disease is an inflammation of the gum line. If it is left untreated by a periodontist, it can affect the bone that supports your teeth. Symptoms of gum disease can include swollen, tender, or bleeding gums. You could also be experiencing receding gums or persistent bad breath.
Our top rated Greenfield dentist, Dr. Cigno, is an expert at spotting signs of periodontal disease, which can include:
- Receding gums
- Bleeding gums
- Loosening teeth
- Teeth that look "long"
- A change in your bite
When your body senses threats like infections or lacerations, it is designed to rush support to heal and protect the area under threat. The inflammatory response in healthy individuals kills off bacteria and helps to speed healing.
Unfortunately, when it comes to infections in your mouth, it's a little more complicated. When your body detects plaque, tartar and bacteria in your mouth, instead of actively attacking the bacteria, it starts to protect itself by backing away.
This process can be silent, meaning the half of Americans who have gum disease may not know until it's too late. If the early stages of gum disease aren't treated, your gums will recede away from your teeth, which can trigger a variety of other dental and oral health problems.
Gum Disease Therapy and Treatments
Gum disease increases your risk of systemic health problems, making it more difficult for your immune system to do its job. Ask Dr. Cigno how non-surgical periodontal therapy can help with problems like heart disease, pneumonia, premature labor, and more.
Gingivitis Treatment
Gingivitis is often painless at first, making it difficult to diagnose without regular dental checkups. Inflammation of the gums can be a potentially serious condition, which is why it’s vital to get regular dental exams from Cigno Family Dental.
If you have been diagnosed with or are concerned you might have gingivitis, Dr. Cigno offers a range of treatments to reverse or stop gum disease’s progression. If you are in the early stages of gingivitis, most treatment options are non-surgical procedures.
Gum Graft Surgery
Gum grafting is a common periodontal procedure performed at Cigno Family Dental. This procedure is commonly used to treat gum recession. Once completed, the soft tissue surrounding your teeth can begin to naturally regenerate, restoring a healthier smile. Benefits include reduced sensitivity, an improved smile appearance and overall improvement of gum health. Don't trust your procedure to just anyone. Dr. Cigno is one of the top oral surgeons near Greenfield.
Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning)
If you visit Cigno Family Dental every six months for your routine cleaning, you know it involves scaling your teeth and gumline to remove plaque and tartar, and polishing to remove stains and smooth the tooth's surface. However, if you have symptoms of gum disease, you might need a different type of cleaning called scaling and root planing.
Scaling and root planing is a deep dental cleaning procedure Dr. Cigno performs to treat patients with current or developing gum disease. Not all patients need this level of cleaning, but it is key for patients concerned with gingivitis.
Root Surface Debridement
Root Surface debridement (RSD) refers to a procedure used to clean the root surface of the tooth. Over time, calcified deposits in your gum pockets can make the surface of your tooth rough and difficult to keep clean. Dr. Cigno uses root surface debridement to remove these deposits and slow the progression of gum disease.
Experiencing pain or swelling in your gums? Or maybe you just haven't been to see the dentist in awhile. Give us a call to schedule your appointment and discuss your oral health options with Dr. Cigno today!