Gum Disease - Periodontal Maintenance

How Dr. Schwarz treats your gum disease will be based on the severity of your condition. Gum disease is typically categorized in the following stages:

Gingivitis

The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis, which presents as gums that are tender, puffy and even bleed. Gingivitis is caused by a buildup of plaque and toxins beneath the gum line.

Periodontitis

During the second stage, irritation and inflammation in the gums worsen. When you have periodontitis, your gums bleed easily, and you may experience bone loss in your jaw as well as loose teeth.

Advanced periodontitis

The most progressed form of gum disease involves significant damage to the periodontal ligament, which causes your teeth to lose proper stability. It is imperative that you seek treatment for advanced periodontitis as soon as possible to avoid losing your teeth.

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Gum disease treatment

is typically initiated with a specialized periodontal cleaning procedure known as scaling and root planing, or deep cleaning. Combined with diligent brushing and flossing at home, a professional deep cleaning can prevent gum disease from worsening and save your smile.

Symptoms and causes of gum disease

When we fail to remove plaque on our teeth, it will harden into tartar and may eventually cause an infection below the gum line. Left untreated, this infection can spread and cause your gums to separate from your teeth. Certain factors, such as smoking, diabetes or crooked teeth, can increase your risk for gum disease.

At Riverheart Family Dentistry,

we always educate our patients on the causes and symptoms of gum disease, which is often indicated by the following:

Deep pocket depth
Bleeding gums
Inflammation

Teeth movement
Pain or irritation in the gums

If you notice any of the above signs of gum disease, please contact us today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Schwarz sooner rather than later. We use the latest dental technology and technique to successfully and comfortably eradicate gum disease from your smile. At Riverheart Family Dentistry, we are committed to the prevention, treatment and management of gum disease as part of our comprehensive family dental care for patients in O'Fallon and the surrounding communities.