Periodontal Disease Treatment in Norfolk, MA
Gum disease affects more than half of all American adults, and that number increases with age. If you're looking for gum disease treatment near Norfolk, MA, we welcome your call at (508) 528-6510.
For the most part, periodontal disease develops due to poor home care or lack of professional dental cleanings. Other factors also play a role in developing periodontal disease:
- Medical conditions and diseases
- Medication and drug use
- Loss of dexterity needed to clean teeth
- Dry mouth
- Smoking or tobacco use
Identifying Periodontal Disease
When gum disease first develops, it may present few symptoms. Bleeding or redness are often the first signs that your gums have an infection. It is possible to reverse early gum disease (gingivitis) and restore healthy tissue.
As gum disease progresses into periodontitis, professional attention can keep the infection under control, but patients will always have the risk of a reoccurrence.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Any of the following signs may point to gum disease:
- Bleeding gums
- Recession
- Bad breath
- Swelling and redness
- Pain when brushing and flossing
- Pus at the gumline
- Bitter taste in the mouth
- Pocketing between teeth and gums
- Mobile teeth
Advanced periodontal disease can infect the bone that supports teeth. As bone deteriorates, teeth become mobile and can fall out.
Periodontal disease is about more than just your teeth and gums, however. It can significantly impact your overall health. Research has linked gum disease to every system in the body, including the heart, kidney, and brain. In pregnant women, periodontal disease can lead to premature births and small birth weight babies.
Laser Dentistry in Norfolk, MA
We customize all of the treatments we provide at Norfolk County Dental Care.
At each checkup, we perform a full periodontal evaluation for our patients by measuring the pocket depths between teeth and gums. Healthy gums are tight against the teeth. Numbers like one, two, or three mean healthy gums with minimal pocketing – anything that is a four or above indicates periodontal disease.
Gum disease treatment typically requires a series of dental cleanings designed to remove tartar and bacteria from the gumline and teeth. Our hygienists are gentle yet thorough and also have a wealth of valuable information about products and techniques to use at home when cleaning your teeth.
In the event that periodontal surgery is necessary, we use laser gum treatments for more conservative and comfortable treatment. With laser periodontal surgery, patients can enjoy faster healing times and less discomfort. Soft-tissue lasers remove diseased tissue and promote healthy gum regeneration without the cutting and stitches involved with traditional dental surgery.
Once the tartar and bacteria are eliminated, your gums will begin to heal. Most patients will need more frequent dental visits to keep the infection under control. This might mean three to four dental appointments per year. We recommend cleanings based on each patient’s needs, and we will be happy to discuss how to best protect your health at our Norfolk office.
Contact Our Norfolk Dental Office for Gum Disease Treatment
Don’t let dental anxiety keep you from getting the dentistry you need to stay healthy. We offer sedation dentistry options to help our anxious patients relax while we help you achieve a healthy, comfortable smile. Contact Norfolk County Dental Care at (508) 528-6510 today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Periodontal disease (more commonly known as gum disease) is a condition that develops as a result of the bacteria in your mouth feeding on the food and drinks that are left on and in between your teeth. Maintaining good oral hygiene by brushing at least twice a day (morning and night) and flossing nightly before bed is a great way to prevent gum disease.
Another major cause of periodontal disease is smoking, the harsh environment and extreme temperatures caused by smoking cause the periodontium (the bone that holds the teeth in place) to disintegrate or resorb; avoiding tobacco products is necessary to prevent gum disease.
Here are some strategies to prevent periodontal disease:
- Visit your dentist one to two times a year for a cleaning and checkup.
- Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste a minimum of two times per day.
- Replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head every three to four months.
- Floss at least once per day.
- Avoid tobacco use.
- Eating a balanced diet.
Signs of periodontitis include:
- Persistent bad breath
- Receding gums
- Pockets between the teeth and gums
- Pain when chewing
- Poor tooth alignment
- Sores on the inside of the mouth
- Loose or sensitive teeth
If you think you have gum disease, don't hesitate to contact Norfolk County Dental Care to schedule an appointment.
More than half of American adults have a form of gum disease, an oral health condition that ranges from inflammation of the gums to advanced periodontitis.
Gum disease happens when bacteria combines with food particles to form plaque, a sticky film that hardens into tartar. Tartar is erosive to your enamel and tissue if left untreated.
The Symptoms of Gum Disease
- Sensitive teeth—If you noticed that your teeth are sensitive to temperatures in food and beverages, you might have gum disease. Sensitive teeth during eating can be a result of periodontitis, especially as your enamel starts to weaken
- Loose teeth—As your gums react to infection, they form pockets around teeth that can quickly collect food particles and bacteria. This often occurs because your body's own immune system tries to attack the bacteria that forms around the soft tissue and jaw bone
- Chronic bad breath—When bad breath is persistent, even right after you brush your teeth, you may be suffering from a sign of gum disease
- Swollen, tender, or bleeding gums—Gum disease is often characterized by inflammation of the gums, which make them appear red and swollen. While the swelling may not be painful, it is a clear sign that you should call your dentist in Norfolk, MA
- Disappearing gums—If your gums appear to have receded, you are noticing a strong indication of periodontitis. When the tissue around the tooth pulls back, it starts to expose the tooth and its root
We Can Help You Treat Gum Disease in Norfolk, MA
Gum disease can happen to anyone—and we can help you treat it, especially in the early stages.
If patients do not recognize the early signs of gum disease, it can start to affect the gum tissue and underlying jaw bone, making it one of the leading causes of adult tooth loss.
Gum disease treatment in Norfolk, MA starts with routine dental check-ups and exams at Norfolk County Dental Care. Coupled with regular at-home brushing and flossing, patients can help prevent gum disease or reverse early stages of it.
Schedule Your Regular Dental Cleaning Today
The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) notes that all adults could benefit from an annual comprehensive periodontal evaluation.
The next best thing is for patients to keep their regular dental cleanings and exam appointments every year.
Meet Our Doctors:
Dr. Xi Sun DMD, FAGD
Dentist
Dr. Sun offers a unique blend of academic and practical experiences. Born and raised in Mainland China, she earned her first dental degree from Hebei Medical University in 1995. Before ...
Dr. Jimmy Alburquerque DMD
Dentist
Dr. Jimmy Alburquerque grew up in the Dominican Republic. He has been exposed to dentistry since his early days by his mother, father, grandfather, who were dentists and inspired him ...
Dr. Daniela Shkurti DMD
Dentist
Dr. Shkurti grew up in a family of dentists and practiced general dentistry in her home country of Albania prior to coming to the United States. She received her Doctor ...
Featured Blog Posts - Periodontal Treatment
How to Keep Your Gums Healthy & Prevent Disease
Healthy gums are integral to healthy teeth. Without gum health, you risk tooth loss and even systemic health complications.
Gum disease or periodontal disease is a series of infections in the tissues and ligaments that keep your teeth in place. When oral health deteriorates and disease sets in, you may notice gum pocketing, swelling, tooth pain, bleeding gums, and eventually loose teeth.
Let’s look at four ways to keep your smile healthy and prevent gum disease.
#1 Brush and Floss Daily
Brushing and flossing at least twice per day are the best ...