Gum Disease
Mild gingivitis can typically be reversed with good oral hygiene and regular checkups with your dentist.
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But if ignored, gum disease can cause widespread damage to your mouth, including jawbone deterioration and tooth loss.
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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.
Gum Disease
Mild gingivitis can typically be reversed with good oral hygiene and regular checkups with your dentist.
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But if ignored, gum disease can cause widespread damage to your mouth, including jawbone deterioration and tooth loss.
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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.
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.
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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.Â
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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?
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.
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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.Â
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If ignored, gingivitis progresses into more dangerous stages of gum disease that require advanced care from a dentist. Fortunately, gingivitis can easily be controlled.
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
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. Using OralDNA 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.
We treat patients in the Harrisonburg, VA, area from our offices in Staunton and Bridgewater, VA. To request an appointment, fill out our online contact form or call (540) 828-2312
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. Using OralDNA 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.
We treat patients in the Harrisonburg, VA, area from our offices in Staunton and Bridgewater, VA. To request an appointment, fill out our online contact form or call (540) 828-2312
"Absolutely Wonderful, Personal Care"
"Absolutely Wonderful, Personal Care"
What to Expect During Your Consultation
During your initial consultation at our offices in Staunton or Bridgewater, VA, your dentist will first examine your teeth, gums, and jawbone to assess your oral health and look for signs of gingivitis, periodontal pockets, and other dental issues.
The signs of gum disease our dentists look for include:
- Bleeding gums
- Teeth movement, sensitivity, and misalignment
- Damage to the bone that’s supporting your teeth
If periodontitis is detected, a treatment will be recommended.
What to Expect During Your Consultation
During your initial consultation at our offices in Staunton or Bridgewater, VA, your dentist will first examine your teeth, gums, and jawbone to assess your oral health and look for signs of gingivitis, periodontal pockets, and other dental issues.
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The signs of gum disease our dentists look for include:
- Bleeding gums
- Teeth movement, sensitivity, and misalignment
- Damage to the bone that’s supporting your teeth
If periodontitis is detected, a treatment will be recommended.
Treatment Options for Gum Disease
The goal of periodontitis treatment is to reattach healthy gums to your teeth, reduce swelling, reduce the depth of periodontal pockets, lower the risk of infection, and stop the progression of periodontitis altogether.
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Our office treats gum disease using modular periodontal therapy, in which our dentists remove plaque from below the gumline and create a simple at-home routine for you to follow.
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There are different treatment options available to you, but some may be better suited for your case depending on the severity of your gum disease. Smiles for Life ​Dental Care offers Harrisonburg-area patients several nonsurgical options that may be used.
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 dentist. Antibiotics can either be taken in pill form or placed directly on the periodontal pockets as a gel.
Our dentists can use a soft tissue laser to remove bacteria and compromised tissue. This periodontitis treatment results in a faster recovery time and reduces bleeding and swelling. AÂ soft tissue laser is often more comfortable than traditional surgical methods and doesn’t require stitches. It also decreases your risk of infection following treatment.
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.Â
Treatment Options for Gum Disease
The goal of periodontitis treatment is to reattach healthy gums to your teeth, reduce swelling, reduce the depth of periodontal pockets, lower the risk of infection, and stop the progression of periodontitis altogether.
Â
Our office treats gum disease using modular periodontal therapy, in which our dentists remove plaque from below the gumline and create a simple at-home routine for you to follow.
Â
There are different treatment options available to you, but some may be better suited for your case depending on the severity of your gum disease. Smiles for Life ​Dental Care offers Harrisonburg-area patients several nonsurgical options that may be used.
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 dentist. Antibiotics can either be taken in pill form or placed directly on the periodontal pockets as a gel.
Our dentists can use a soft tissue laser to remove bacteria and compromised tissue. This periodontitis treatment results in a faster recovery time and reduces bleeding and swelling. AÂ soft tissue laser is often more comfortable than traditional surgical methods and doesn’t require stitches. It also decreases your risk of infection following treatment.
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.Â
Are Patients Who Choose
Dental Implants Happy with Their Results?
Dental Implants Happy with Their Results?
Before Kate’s Smile Makeover
After Kate’s Smile Makeover
Kate’s smile makeover included gingivectomies to remove diseased gum tissue around her 6 upper anterior teeth, which helped repair her oral health and create a foundation for restorative dentistry treatments. Healthy gums will help keep her new smile dazzling for years to come.Â
Are Patients Who Choose Dental Implants Happy with Their Results?
Before Kate’s Smile Makeover
After Kate’s Smile Makeover
Kate’s smile makeover included gingivectomies to remove diseased gum tissue around her 6 upper anterior teeth, which helped repair her oral health and create a foundation for restorative dentistry treatments. Healthy gums will help keep her new smile dazzling for years to come.Â
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
Certain Medications
Certain Illnesses
Smoking or Chewing Tobacco
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
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
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
- Changes to your face shape
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
- Changes to your face shape
Prevent Gingivitis Before It Starts
WITH PROPER ORAL HYGIENE
Brushing Twice per Day
Antibacterial Mouthwash
Flossing Once per Day
Limiting Sugar Intake
Scheduling Regular Dental Checkups
Avoiding Nicotine Products
Prevent Gingivitis Before It Starts
WITH PROPER ORAL HYGIENE
Brushing Twice per Day
Antibacterial Mouthwash
Flossing Once per Day
Limiting Sugar Intake
Scheduling Regular Dental Checkups
Avoiding Nicotine Products
Treat Your Periodontal Disease With Us Today!
TIMELY TREATMENT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE!
Gum disease can create numerous short- and long-term problems, which is why it’s so important to treat in a timely manner.
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If you’re in the Harrisonburg, VA, area, we would like to hear from you! No matter what stage of periodontal disease you have, one of our dentists can restore your oral health with gentle and effective methods. If you’re anxious about dental work, our dentists can help you feel comfortable throughout your treatment by providing warm blankets and sedation, if necessary.
Treat Your Periodontal Disease With Us Today!
TIMELY TREATMENT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE!
Gum disease can create numerous short- and long-term problems, which is why it’s so important to treat in a timely manner.
Â
If you’re in the Harrisonburg, VA, area, we would like to hear from you! No matter what stage of periodontal disease you have, one of our dentists can restore your oral health with gentle and effective methods. If you’re anxious about dental work, our dentists can help you feel comfortable throughout your treatment by providing warm blankets and sedation, if necessary.
