Gum Disease
Our team of dental professionals is committed to providing you with the highest quality care to ensure your dental health.
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease or periodontitis, is a condition in which bacterial growth in your mouth causes your gums to pull away from your teeth, creating periodontal pockets that collect debris and become infected. The infection then damages the bone that supports your teeth.
The early stage of gum disease, called gingivitis, often appears as bad breath and swollen gums that bleed when you brush or floss. At this stage, there might be little to no discomfort and you may not even realize anything is wrong.
If ignored, gingivitis progresses into more dangerous stages of gum disease that require advanced care from a dentist. Fortunately, gingivitis can easily be controlled.
What is Gum Disease?
Mild gingivitis can typically be reversed with good oral hygiene and regular checkups with your dentist.
But if ignored, gum disease can cause widespread damage to your mouth, including jawbone deterioration and tooth loss.
If left untreated, gum disease can even lead to other serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Therefore, seeking regular periodontal care is crucial for not only maintaining a healthy smile but also overall wellness.
If you’re in the Harrisonburg, VA, area, Smiles for Life Dental Care can provide you with treatment to improve the health of your gums.
Knowing the Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
You may not notice the symptoms of gum disease even as it progresses into the later stages. The signs can be subtle, and can occur in places that are hard for you to detect. This is why it’s so important to schedule regular checkups at a dental office. Though you may not notice any symptoms, they often include:
- Red, swollen, or receding gums
- Infected gums
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Persistent bad breath
- A bad taste in your mouth
- Loose teeth
- Tooth loss
- Misalignment
- Deep pockets between the gums and teeth
We Can Treat Your Gum Disease
Once plaque hardens into tartar and spreads below the gumline, your will need professional attention to remove it from your teeth. If you have developed periodontitis, our dentists can provide you with treatment.
We can also provide you with preventive care in the form of regular checkup. By testing, we look for hidden oral health concerns, genetic markers associated with periodontitis, and even oral cancer. These dental screenings allow our dentists to identify signs of gingivitis and other health concerns and control them before they become a bigger issue.
Treatment Options for Gum Disease
Are you struggling with gum disease? Don’t fret there are a variety of effective treatment options that can help restore your smile to its former glory!
Antibiotics
When taken during the earliest stages of periodontitis, antibiotics can sometimes be enough to resolve gum disease and restore your oral health. If necessary, an antibiotic can also be combined with other treatments performed by your hygienist. Antibiotics can either be taken in pill form or placed directly on the periodontal pockets as a gel.
Antibacterial Irrigation
During scaling and root planing we use an antibacterial rinse to flush out harmful bacteria in periodontal pockets. This is a very safe and effective way to remove bacteria and toxins from beneath your gumline. You may be given this antibacterial rinse in your Waterpik at home during your periodontal treatment.
Scaling and Root Planing
During a scaling and root planing procedure, your gums will be numbed with an anesthetic before your dentist uses a scaling device to gently remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria along the gumline and surface of the tooth. After scaling, the rough areas along the tooth roots are smoothed to prevent bacteria growth and to help loosened gums reattach to the teeth.
What Can Lead to Periodontal Disease?
Plaque buildup from poor oral hygiene habits is typically the cause of periodontal disease. However, other factors can contribute to the development of periodontal disease, including:
Hormonal Changes
Poor Home Care
Certain Medications
Certain Illnesses
Smoking or Chewing Tobacco
47.2%
of adults aged 30 years and older have some form of periodontal disease.
-According to the CDC
The Long-Term Dangers of Periodontal Disease
When bacteria builds up in periodontal pockets, it can make its way into your bloodstream and affect parts of your body other than your mouth. This can lead to dangerous long-term disorders. Aside from tooth and bone loss, you may experience:
Cardiovascular disease
Pneumonia
Diabetes
Rheumatoid arthritis
Alzheimer’s disease
Stroke
Rheumatoid arthritis
Prevent Gingivitis Before It Starts
With proper oral hygiene, You can prevent the development of gum disease when you practice a good oral hygiene routine. During the early stages of disease, gingivitis can usually be prevented from progressing into more serious cases of periodontitis. Simply minimizing plaque buildup can contribute to good overall oral health.
Brushing Twice per Day
Antibacterial Mouthwash
Flossing Once per Day
Limiting Sugar Intake
Scheduling Regular Dental Checkups
Avoiding Nicotine Products
Meet The Team
Staunton Location
Bridgewater Location
Our Smiles for Life Patients Know
Terry Eck
When I embarked on my journey to find the right dental implant service, I initially gravitated towards the two prominent national brands in the field. However, my search took an unexpected and incredibly satisfying turn when I decided to explore the offerings of a local implant provider. Little did I know that this local gem would redefine my expectations of what a top-notch implant service should be like. Here's why my experience with them was nothing short of extraordinary: Meticulous Charting of Teeth and Gums: ★★★★★ One of the first things that set this local provider apart from the national giants was their unwavering commitment to precision and detail. While the big names seemed more focused on the implant procedure itself, this local gem took the time to meticulously chart the condition of my teeth and gums. This attention to detail ensured that my implant procedure was tailored to my specific needs and challenges. It was clear that they understood the importance of a solid foundation for the success of the implants. Infection Prevention Education: ★★★★★ Implant surgery is not without its risks, and one of the key concerns is the possibility of infection. What truly impressed me was the depth of information and guidance this local provider offered regarding infection prevention. They didn't just gloss over this critical aspect; they took the time to discuss the infection possibilities associated with dental implants and, more importantly, outlined a comprehensive plan to combat and mitigate such conditions. Their proactive approach to ensuring patient safety was truly reassuring. First-Year Implant Supervision: ★★★★★ Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of my experience with this local implant provider was their commitment to the long-term success of my dental implants. While the national brands seemed content with the implant procedure itself, this local provider went above and beyond by offering required supervision for the first year following the implant surgery. This level of aftercare and ongoing support was simply unparalleled and gave me peace of mind knowing that my oral health was in capable hands. In conclusion, my exploration journey for dental implants took an unexpected turn when I discovered this exceptional local implant provider. Their dedication to detail, infection prevention, and post-surgery care were nothing short of outstanding. They not only surpassed the standards set by the national brands but also redefined my expectations of what a truly exceptional implant service should encompass. If you're in search of dental implants and want an experience that goes above and beyond, I wholeheartedly recommend giving this local gem a visit. They've certainly earned my trust and gratitude.
Ashley Knight
The staff is very kind and the overall atmosphere was very welcoming. 🙂 Greatly enjoyed my experience there! I look forward to having all my dental work taken care of there!
Pam Cook
My first visit was enjoyable and I look forward to my upcoming appointments. I was impressed with how friendly everyone in the office was and accommodating not only to my schedule but to my unique situation. Highly recommend.
Linda Jackson
The Denist was very informative and took his time explaining to me what the problem was in laymen’s terms. I felt better upon leaving Thani find coming in thank you so much Dr McIntyre
Nicole Gray
Morgan is the best! I hadn’t been to the dentist in 10+ years and was nervous even though I’d always been a fan of the dentist (weird I know). Morgan explained her recommendations, how the plan would work and set me up with my various appointment needs. She always remembers details of my life and asks about specific things mentioned previously. She’s wonderful and a great asset to Smiles for Life!
Vera Floyd
I was happy to have had you for my,you were patient with me especially when I had to swallow, because of my dry throat. Dr mac you a wonderful job of giving me my smile back.I thank you so much,and I give you a high rating 10.Your assistant l give the same rating. I will amend to you all my friends and family. Thank again.
Amy McCrobie
Smiles for Life saved my mouth! My teeth were rotting because of the medicine I have to take and Smiles for Life helped me out with implants! The process was easy and now I have a beautiful smile! Dr. McIntyre and the whole staff are friendly and help you feel relaxed. I definitely recommend Smiles for Life!
Carolina Gonzalez
I went to get my cleaning done today. Everybody was very nice as usual. I took my kids with me they have a designated area for them to feel welcome and comfortable.
