Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a serious oral health epidemic in the United States with more than 64 million people living with the condition. To put that number into perspective, research has shown that over half of adults over the age of 30 have some form of periodontal disease—a condition that can cause infections, tooth loss, and even widespread inflammation. However, because most people don’t know what to look for, most cases of gum disease go unnoticed until they progress into more dangerous oral conditions.

IT’S IMPORTANT TO IDENTIFY GINGIVITIS

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, and occurs when plaque and tartar build on the teeth and along the gumline, allowing bacteria to invade the gum tissues. To protect your health, the gum tissue responds by receding. Unfortunately, this recession can ultimately lead to instability of the teeth, and the invading bacteria can attack the periodontal ligament and your jawbone—causing tissue loss.

One of the reasons that gingivitis is so dangerous is that the early symptoms are fairly easy to ignore. Here are some of the signs of gingivitis, and when to schedule an appointment.

 

SIGNS OF GINGIVITIS

 

  • Soft, puffy, swollen gums
  • Gum tissue that appears to be receding, or sensitivity along the gumline due to recession
  • Gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss
  • Tender gum tissue that looks reddened
  • Chronic bad breath

Because gingivitis can progress quickly, it is important to meet with us at the first sign of trouble. As periodontists and authorities on gum disease treatment, Dr. Roll and Dr. Williams have the skills and experience necessary to reverse the early stages of gingivitis to keep your smile beautiful and healthy.

Request An Appointment

 

Long Term Effects of Periodontal Disease

 

The potential consequences of gingivitis and periodontal disease are more serious than a little gum recession or even oral decay. When oral infections spread through the mouth, bacteria can leach into the bloodstream, triggering inflammation throughout your entire body. Because of this, periodontal disease has been tied to serious and potentially fatal medical conditions, including heart disease and even some forms of cancer.

Treatments for Periodontal Disease

The good news is that periodontal disease is treatable—even in its later stages. Before your gum disease treatment begins, Dr. Roll or Dr. Williams will conduct a comprehensive periodontal evaluation, or CPE, where they will analyze the health of your teeth, gums, and bone tissue. If they find evidence of gingivitis or periodontal disease, they will talk with you about your treatment options. Here are a few treatments you should be aware of.

Non-Surgical Treatments

If you have gingivitis or early periodontitis, non-surgical treatments might be enough to help your teeth and gums to return to health. Deep cleanings, antibiotic rinses, and dental scaling can help to clean out periodontal pockets and eliminate bacteria.

Traditional Gum Surgery

When the gums start to pull away from the teeth, pockets form between the tooth and the gum tissue. Over time, this tissue can become diseased and infected, compromising the health of your gums and the underlying bone. The goal of traditional gum surgery is to carefully excise the diseased tissue, clean and resurface the teeth, and to eliminate bacteria from inside the gingival pocket.

During traditional surgery, Dr. Roll or Dr. Williams will make small incisions around the affected areas to lift the gum tissue and clean underneath the gum line. After the area is cleaned, the gum tissue will be replaced. Traditional gum surgery is highly effective, with a relatively easy recovery.

Ongoing Care for Periodontal Disease

While we will do our best to treat your gum disease, some of the damage of advanced gum disease is irreversible, causing a tendency toward re-infection. We will talk with you about how to avoid problems in the future. Depending on the health of your teeth and other complicating factors, we may recommend more frequent dental cleanings and periodontal evaluations. A proactive, tenacious approach to daily oral hygiene is also crucial to your ongoing dental health.

If you have questions about how to brush, floss, or rinse properly to avoid future periodontal disease, or about what you can do to address existing problems, make an appointment with our Pittsburgh periodontists. Our entire team is dedicated to your overall health and happiness, which is why Pinnacle Center – Dental Implants & Periodontics is always pleased to offer a complimentary second opinion. Contact us today for details.

CHECK OUR PATIENT
REVIEWS

Visit our office in Pittsburgh, Two Minutes From The Mall At Robinson!!

6200 Steubenville Pike Suite 201
McKees Rocks, PA 15136

Office Hours:

Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Friday: Closed

call us