Gum Disease

Gum Disease

Healthy Gums

Healthy gums are generally pink and anchor the teeth firmly in place. Healthy gums do not bleed or hurt during normal brushing and flossing.

Early forms of gum disease can easily be treated and reversed with daily brushing and flossing and dental checkups every 6 months. Implant and Family Dentistry can get you on your way to healthy gums. All you need to do is call (901) 377-3988 or request an appointment online and come in for a visit. Your gums will be glad you did!

Gum Rejuvenation

Here at Implant and Family Dentistry, we are dedicated to the prevention and treatment of gum disease.

Gum disease simply means your gums are infected. It is one of the most common reasons for tooth loss.

Plaque and bacteria start to build up on your teeth. If you don’t brush and floss regularly, they can continue to build up. It is also important to visit your dentist regularly so we can clean the plaque and bacteria that you can’t reach.

There are many signs of gum disease that range from bleeding gums to red and swollen gums, and gums that are starting to pull away from your teeth. Many people have bad breath that they can’t seem to get rid of. As the disease progresses, you may even start to lose your teeth.

Some people are more prone to getting gum disease. These include people who don’t take care of their teeth along with those who smoke or chew tobacco. There are some diseases, conditions, and medications that can increase your risk, such as pregnancy and diabetes.These people should see their dentist more often.

At the early stage, gingivitis, can be eliminated by a thorough dental and proper dental care following the cleaning. Without treatment, periodontitis (advanced gum disease) is common. As the disease continues to get worse, it can lead to irreversible loss of the tissue and bone that supports your teeth.

If you are concerned about your dental health, don’t hesitate to call us at (901) 377-3988 or request an appointment today.

Why do I need periodontal maintenance?
Can’t I just get my teeth cleaned?

There is no “cure” for Periodontal disease. Periodontal Disease is driven by your overall body health and immune system resistance as well as your compliance with daily oral disease techniques. Having a shorter interval between professional therapies will keep these visits much more comfortable as well as keeping the daily habits routine to good oral health.

Stages Of Gum Disease

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease. Gingivitis develops as toxins, enzymes and other plaque byproducts by irritating the gums, making them tender, swollen and likely to bleed easily. Gingivitis generally can be stopped with proper oral hygiene and minor treatment from your dentist. If this is achieved, your gums can return to a healthy state.

Periodontitis

Moderate gum disease is when the tooth's bone tissue starts to deteriorate. Periodontitis occurs when plaque byproducts destroy the tissues that anchor your teeth in the bone. The gums deteriorate and begin detaching themselves from the teeth forming gum pockets, which allows more plaque to collect below the gum line. This causes the roots of the teeth to become susceptible to decay. Generally, patients notice an increase in sensitivity to hot and cold and to touch.

Advanced Periodontitis

Advanced periodontitis occurs when a major amount of gum and bone tissue has been lost and the teeth are losing more and more support due to the loss of periodontal ligament and bone. Some teeth are unable to be saved and must be extracted. If left untreated, advanced periodontitis can cause severe health problems elsewhere in the body.

Periodontal Health Effects

Studies have shown links between periodontal (gum) disease, heart disease and other health conditions.

Research further suggests that gum disease may be a more serious risk for heart disease, more so than hypertension, smoking, cholesterol, gender or age.

Researcher's conclusions suggest that bacteria present in infected gums can become loose and move throughout the body through the bloodstream. Once bacteria reaches the arteries, they can irritate them in the same way that they irritate gum tissue causing arterial plaque, which can cause hardening and affect blood-flow.

Sensitivity

Suppress the urge to avoid cleaning teeth that are sensitive to cold! Teeth that have suffered damage from gum disease will always be more sensitive to cold. Avoiding them only makes it worse.

After any dental treatment, teeth may become sensitive. This is their way of letting you know that they've been injured. Any injury (cavity, tooth clenching/grinding, gum infection) can injure the nerves in a tooth. This should not last long if the teeth are kept clean. If the teeth are not kept clean, the sensitivity will remain or get worse.

If your teeth are especially sensitive, consult with your dentist. This could be a sign of the need for root canal treatment, a gum tissue graft, a desensitizing toothpaste (with potassium nitrate), or a concentrated fluoride gel (0.4% stannous- or 1.1% sodium-fluoride) may do the trick.

Request An Appointment

We are here to provide you and your family with the best dental care! Call us to request an appointment or submit an online request.