Gum Disease & Gum Care: Information, Prevention & Care

What is Gum Disease?

Gum (periodontal) disease is caused by plaque – bacteria that builds up on your teeth and creates toxins. These toxins affect the gum tissue and bones surrounding the teeth.

Gum disease, though painless at first and progressing slowly, can have serious consequences. This infection can put you at risk for heart disease, cancer, and diabetes because gum health is interconnected with many other aspects of oral and physical health. This is why it is critical that we prevent it from progressing to the more serious stages.

Types of Gum Disease

The two types of gum disease include:

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is early-stage gum disease. At this point, gums may become sensitive, red, and swollen, and you may spot blood in your toothbrush or when you floss.

Periodontitis

The more serious form of gum disease is periodontitis. Your gums recede at this point, and bacteria eventually fills the spaces between your gums and teeth. Bone loss in the jaw can range from mild to moderate.

Advanced periodontitis

Teeth lose support as your gums, bone, and periodontal ligament break down. Moderate to severe bone loss in your jaw may occur, and your teeth can become loose or fall out.

How to Maintain & Improve Gum Health

Though gum disease has scary outcomes, most cases are preventable with good oral hygiene and regular checkups. Here’s what you can do at home and how your dentist can help:

At Home

Brush at least twice daily
Floss once per day
Rinse thoroughly with an alcohol-free anti-gingivitis mouthwash
See your dentist regularly and let them know about any changes, gum sensitivity or soreness

What Your Dentist Can Do for Your Gums

Your dentist provides professional cleanings and tracks your oral health so any problems can be spotted early.

They'll ask if you've noticed any changes or sensitivity in your gums, if you've been practicing good oral hygiene, and if you can answer questions about oral hygiene and care.

How We Help Prevent & Treat Gum Disease At Spackman Dental

At Spackman Dental, we offer a couple of ways to help you maintain healthy gums, and prevent and treat gum disease:

Preventive Hygiene

To treat early-stage gum disease, we recommend frequent hygiene appointments, deep cleanings and specialized home care routines.

Gum Therapy

If you have developed gum disease, don't worry, there are ways to treat the condition even if it has progressed past the early stages. Gum therapy is an excellent option for many patients and is one of the most effective, non-surgical ways to treat gum disease.