Gum Disease Therapy in Jacksonville Can Solve Your Painful Gums!

In honor of Gum Disease Awareness Month this February, dentists across the country are pushing the importance of oral care and routine dental visits. Gum disease affects millions of Americans every year; in fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that from 2011 to 2012, nearly 1 in 2 Americans had some form of periodontitis. Keep in mind this is not the mild form of gum disease known as gingivitis, but the far more serious form that can result in tooth loss!

To reduce your symptoms and protect your future gum health, it is imperative that you seek gum disease therapy in Jacksonville!

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is an infection of the gum tissue, typically as a result of unremoved plaque resting on and attacking the sensitive tissue. The gums are incredibly important for maintaining long-term oral health because they provide an established foundation for teeth to fit comfortably in the jaw. If the gums become severely inflamed, this compromises this function. It’s the reason why gum disease is the number-one cause of tooth loss in adults.

What are the Symptoms?

Gum disease is widely regarded as the “silent killer” for a few different reasons. For one, its symptoms are not always easy to catch on your own, at least in the early stages. By the time you start to notice the symptoms of gum disease, it’s likely already begun damaging your gum tissue beyond repair. With that said, all individuals should be on the lookout for minor bleeding while brushing or mildly red or tender gums. In this stage, your gum disease is largely reversible. However, if you notice any of the following symptoms, you need to get to a dentist for gum disease therapy as soon as possible. This includes:

• Dark red or purple gums
• Gum recession
• Tender, sensitive or puffy gums
• Teeth that appear longer than usual
• Pain while biting down
• Increased teeth sensitivity
• Changes in the way your denture fits

Treatments to Consider

Keep in mind that when gum disease is still within the gingivitis stage, reversing the symptoms are as simple as improving your at-home oral care and visiting a dentist for a professional cleaning. It may also be worth including an anti-bacterial mouthwash to your routine for extra protection. However, once your gums have developed mild, moderate or severe periodontitis, you’ll need to consider professional gum therapy. The most common forms include:

• Scaling and Root Planing (SRP) – Scaling works to remove plaque from above and below the gum line, particularly tartar. Tartar is a calcified form of plaque that is only safely removable by dentists.
• Antibiotic Therapy – Medication that is typically used in tandem with SRP to heal acute or chronic long-term cases of gum disease.
• Periodontal Surgery – If your gum disease is more advanced, gum surgery may be needed to remove bacteria, promote healing, and remove the deep pockets that have begun to form in between your teeth.

Don’t let gum disease plague your life when treatment can stop it in its tracks. Schedule an appointment with a dentist to set up your periodontal therapy in Jacksonville today!

About the Author

Dr. Sol G. Brotman earned his dental degree from the University of Maryland Dental School. Since then, he’s taken numerous continuing education courses on a wide variety of dental topics in order to provide patients the best care possible. If you have gum disease but don’t know where to turn for treatment, you can contact his office through his website.