You might have gum disease/periodontal disease if you experience swelling or tenderness in gums, bleeding when you floss, and early signs of gum recession. Advanced symptoms could include infections, loose teeth, and severe bad breath.
TREATMENTS For gum disease in Fairfax
The Online Guide to Gum Disease
If your gums are red, swollen, sore, and/or bleed easily—you may have periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease. Fortunately, early stages of gingivitis can be reversible with a thorough cleaning, periodic visits, and a thorough home care routine.
Experiencing gum disease in Fairfax? Oakton Family Dentistry can help. Our team is dedicated to providing what you need to manage and prevent this condition.
Restoring Your Oral Health Starts Here
Routine Cleanings
Prevention is the key to maintaining your oral health, including regular dental exams, professional cleanings, and guidance for home care.
Click here to learn more about our standard cleanings!
Deep Cleanings
For some advanced cases of gum disease, we schedule deep cleanings, known as “Scaling and Root Planing”, that use advanced techniques to promote healing.
Additional Therapies
From prescriptions to more frequent visits, our team can arrest and control the progression of gum disease and help you manage its symptoms, such as gum recession.
The 3 Stages of Gum Disease
Gum disease is a slow, silent, progressive disease that, if left unchecked, becomes increasingly destructive, attacking not just the gums but the ligaments and bone structure as well.
This eventually causes loss of support for teeth and potential tooth loss. In extreme cases, bacteria can enter the bloodstream and lead to potential heart issues.
01. Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a common gum disease that causes inflammation and irritation of the gums and is the earliest form of gum disease. You may also notice bleeding when you floss and some gum recession. As the gum continues to recede, pockets form between the gums and teeth, and it advances into the next stage.
02. Periodontitis
Periodontitis is a more severe form of gum disease that affects the tissues and bone that support the teeth, leading to gum recession, potential tooth loss, and other serious oral health problems if left untreated. During this stage, the condition becomes incurable. You may notice further gum recession (teeth will appear longer), bad breath, swelling, and soreness in the gums.
03. Advanced Periodontitis
In its final stage, gum disease continues to attack the bone, and supporting ligaments will pull away from the teeth. This can cause loosening of the teeth and complete tooth loss. You may also notice pus and blood along the gum line and pain affecting the teeth and gum tissue.
About Periodontal Disease
Signs & Symptoms of Gum Disease
At Oakton Family Dentistry, we are your partners in maintaining a healthy, stunning smile. Our team members are dedicated to providing what you need to prevent or manage gum disease in Fairfax.
Symptoms of gum disease can include…
- Swelling
- Bleeding
- Bad Breath
- Tenderness
- Pus Between Teeth
- Gum Recession
- Loose Teeth
How Treatment Works
Our most import tool is knowledge. It’s a powerful resource, and it can give you the opportunity—and tools—to fight back and make an impactful decision for your smile going forward.
During your cleaning and exam appointment, we will assess your gum condition and discuss lifestyle factors that may contribute to the gum disease.
Your hygienist and doctor can then determine whether a simple cleaning or more advanced deep cleaning are needed to address your gum health.
What to Expect
Periodontitis requires active intervention with a procedure called scaling and root planing (deep cleaning).
Through this procedure, your hygienists will administer anesthesia to numb certain areas of the mouth, allowing them to get deeper under the gum to remove any of the harmful, aggressive bacteria causing further bone loss.
This procedure also involves administration of various disinfectants around or under the gum line and, in some cases, a prescription of antibiotics. A more stringent home care routine and more frequent re-care visits are typically required to maintain your health and not regress back into active gum disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, periodontal disease causes bone loss that can not be regained. Our only option is to treat the condition and prevent further bone loss.
Absolutely. Periodontitis isn’t life-threatening, unless the bacteria enters the bloodstream. Other medical professionals may be required if that happens for best overall health.
Advanced gum disease, if left untreated, can cause bacteria to enter the bloodstream and potentially lead to heart complications.
We tailor your gum disease treatment to your specific condition. All that’s needed for the early stages is a thorough cleaning and an adjusted at-home routine. For advanced gum disease, we may recommend scaling and root planing. If the gums have started to recede, we can look at options like pinhole surgery.
Fairfax Oral Care. Because We Care.
Tailored Gum Disease Treatments
If you have gum disease in Fairfax and need help managing it or are seeking help preventing the condition, you can trust us to be effective and efficient as your care provider.