Treatment options for managing gum disease

Gum disease is a progressive condition that starts with mild symptoms that can be easy to ignore. If gum disease is left untreated, it can develop into a serious oral health problem, contributing to tooth, bone, and gum tissue loss. Periodontal disease is also linked to several systemic—and potentially deadly—health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and strokes. At Shadowridge Dental Group in San Marcos, California, we monitor the health of your gums as closely as we take care of your teeth and offer treatment options for gum disease at all stages to help restore the health of your smile.  

Early signs of gum disease

In its earliest stage, gum disease is called gingivitis and can be reversed with attentive home care and regular dental visits to get the underlying bacterial infection under control. Early signs of gum disease include:

• “Pink in the sink” when you brush or floss your teeth
• Swollen gums
• Persistent bad breath
• Gums that are red instead of a healthy pink

As gum disease progresses, the infection and inflammation begin to eat away at your tissues and supporting ligaments, leading to more serious symptoms such as:

• Receding gums due to tissue loss
• Loose teeth
• Loss of underlying jawbone
• Pus in the gums
• Development of periodontal pockets, which are spaces between the teeth and gums where bacteria and plaque proliferate
• Tooth loss

Treatment options for periodontal disease

Effective gum disease treatment requires a personalized approach designed for your specific oral health, medical history, and stage of gum disease. While early-stage gingivitis is reversible with diligent hygiene, more advanced gum disease can lead to permanent damage to your teeth and gums and requires a more intensive approach to halt the progression of the disease. Depending on your specific needs, our dentists may recommend one or more of the following treatment options:

• Scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning procedure designed to clean the periodontal pockets and promote healthy reattachment between the gums and tooth roots
• Oral or topical antibiotics to help get the infection under control
• Antibacterial mouthwashes
• Periodontal surgery
• Restorative options such as gum grafting or tooth restorations

At Shadowridge Dental Group, we are committed to not only restoring your gums back to health but also helping you maintain your healthy smile for many years to come. To schedule your appointment at our San Marcos, CA office, call (760) 284-8111 today!