Gum Disease Treatment in St. Augustine

What Do I Need to Know About Gum Disease?

There's no easy gum disease cure. That's why staying ahead of gingivitis symptoms is so important for protecting your oral health! Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is a progressive health condition that often ends in tooth loss when early signs of gingivitis are not treated. Our gums are important because gum tissue holds teeth in place. It's important to know that reversing gum disease is possible when you seek early treatment. See a dentist right away if you are experiencing signs of inflammation or infection that are consistent with signs of gingivitis or periodontal disease. A dentist that specializes in treating gum disease in St. Augustine may be able to offer you a gingivitis cure.

What Puts Me at Risk for Developing Gingivitis Symptoms?

Everyone is at risk for gingivitis. That's why the real gingivitis cure is actually prevention. Poor oral hygiene is a leading cause of gum disease. When we are relaxed with brushing and flossing, plaque can build up on your teeth. Sugary diets make us especially vulnerable to plaque bacteria that essentially attacks teeth and gum tissue. When left unaddressed, plaque turns into a substance causing tartar that leads to inflammation and infection in sensitive gum tissue.

Unfortunately, millions of adults in America have lost teeth due to runaway gingivitis symptoms that turned into gum disease. Professional gingivitis treatment from a dentist can help to stop decay in its tracks! Our office is here to help you develop a plan for improving your oral health.

What Common Gum Disease Symptoms Should I Know About?

First, booking routine dental appointments is the most important factor in preventing oral disease and decay. Dentists look for early signs of plaque and tartar buildup to help patients take care of problems before they require major dental interventions. That means that your dentist can often tell you that something is going on before you notice symptoms. However, you are likely to experience the following symptoms if you have gingivitis:

• Your gums are red
• You notice that your gums look puffy and inflamed
• Your gums feel sensitive
• Your gums bleed when you brush and floss

During your upcoming visit, let your dentist know if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. One common misconception is that it's normal for gums to bleed during brushing and flossing. As a result, many people ignore this early sign of gum problems until they reach a point where treating gum disease becomes much more complicated.

Do You Know the Signs of Gum Disease?

If you've progressed from the gingivitis stage to full-blown gum disease, the symptoms become much more dramatic. Here's how to know if your gums need immediate attention from a dental professional:

• Swollen, inflamed gums
• Gums are pulling away or disconnecting from the teeth
• Teeth feel loose
• New gaps or spaces are becoming noticeable in the teeth
• Pockets of inflammation can be seen or felt at the base of the gums.

What Are the Different Stages of Gum Disease?

Most people have a good window of time to seek treatment for gingivitis before damage becomes irreversible. Your chances for having a positive outcome increase when you see a dentist as soon as you notice that your gums are irritated or inflamed. Let's walk through how gum disease progresses.

Stage #1: Gingivitis

Signs of gingivitis may be subtle when your gums first become compromised. You may simply notice that your gums feel more sensitive than before. It's also common to experience some minor bleeding. Bleeding might happen when you're eating chips, pretzels, or other "sharp" foods. Your gums may only bleed when you're brushing or flossing. The good news is that your dentist has many easy options for successfully reversing your symptoms at this point. Don't waste the opportunity to treat gingivitis during this early stage!

Stage #2: Periodontitis

If your gum issues progress to this stage, the bone and tissues that hold your teeth in place have started to undergo permanent damage. You may be dealing with constant inflammation and gum pain due to the fact that little pockets within your gums are trapping plaque that is packed with bacteria. While treatments are still possible, your dentist will need to be more aggressive with taking measures to prevent further decay.

Stage #3: Advanced Periodontitis

This stage represents a crisis point for oral health. The bone and tissue that support the teeth have deteriorated severely. You may be having difficulty with biting, chewing, and talking. Brushing may also be painful. Unfortunately, teeth may also begin to shift around, loosen, or fall out. While it may not be possible to preserve natural teeth that have been affected at this point, a dentist treating gum disease in St. Augustine can offer restorative and cosmetic treatments that can help to get decay under control.

How Can I Get a Gingivitis Cure?

While a periodontitis diagnosis can seem daunting, it's important to know that the destructive progression of this condition can be stopped when you seek gingivitis treatment early! A gingivitis cure really consists of a methodical plan for removing and preventing bacteria-filled plaque buildup. This is one of the reasons why dentists stress the importance of routine dental cleanings and checkups. In addition, being consistent with brushing and flossing twice daily can help to drastically reduce plaque buildup.

What Can I Expect From Gum Disease and Gingivitis Treatment?

Dentists always start with the simplest treatments possible for reversing gum disease. If you're at an early stage of gum disease, intensive cleanings that address bacteria under the gum line may help to give your mouth a fresh start. Dentists often use scaling and root planing. They may also prescribe antibiotic treatments and antibacterial rinses. In advanced cases, surgery may be recommended. Don't let fear or anxiety keep you from getting the treatment you need! Contact a qualified dentist to treat periodontal disease in St. Augustine today!

Can a Dentist Help Me Reverse Gum Disease in St. Augustine?

Is gingivitis reversible? Yes! Our dental office is here to help you with reversing gum disease as soon as you notice gum disease symptoms. We have many early treatment options for gingivitis symptoms that may help you to avoid the need for more aggressive gum disease treatment down the line. Of course, we can also help you if you are dealing with advanced gum disease. Call our office today to book a consultation.

Periodontics

A periodontist specializes in the treatment and surgery of gum tissue, connective tissues, and bone structure which surrounds the teeth. Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is the most common cause of periodontal problems.

Gum disease can be damaging to your dental health, but the condition can be corrected and controlled when you seek immediate professional dental care. Our team is knowledgeable and experienced in providing non-surgical periodontal therapy as well as many periodontal surgery procedures. If advanced periodontal care is indicated, we may also refer you to a periodontist for additional treatments. 

In order to provide you with the most exceptional level of dental care, we sometimes collaborate with dental specialists such as periodontists on your behalf. The vast majority of periodontic therapies can be completed right here in our office although we may occasionally refer you to a periodontist for more complex procedures.

Through professional partnership and referrals we can ensure that you receive the appropriate treatment for all of your oral health concerns.