Nearly half of all Americans have a form of gum disease. If left untreated, the condition can lead to further complications including tooth loss. At Garden Oaks Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Ruehle provides patients with periodontal treatment and other dental solutions to help treat mild to severe cases of gum disease.
Explore our guide and learn more about gum disease, how you can prevent it, and treatment options our Denton office provides to help keep your smile healthy and beautiful.
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an oral infection that starts in your gum tissue and spreads throughout the rest of your mouth. In most cases, the disease starts with bacteria accumulating around your teeth due to inadequate oral hygiene and infrequent dental care. The best way to prevent gum disease is daily brushing and flossing, combined with regular trips to Garden Oaks Family & Cosmetic Dentistry where Dr. Ruehle can clean your teeth and remove any bacteria that may be in your tissue.
The underlying cause of gum disease is bacteria-ridden plaque that builds up on your teeth. It’s crucial to maintain a proper at-home oral hygiene routine to help prevent the condition from spreading. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily, and scheduling dental checkups with Dr. Ruehle or another experienced dentist.
There are several factors that increase the risk of developing gum disease, including:
Patients generally notice few, if any, symptoms of gum disease during its early stages. As it gets worse, your gums will become inflamed, irritated, and more susceptible to bleeding.
There are two distinct stages of gum disease:
This is an early stage of gum disease that’s easily manageable with treatment. If you have gingivitis, only your gums are affected and you may not experience any symptoms. Your gums instead can appear red and inflamed, but you likely won’t experience any pain. It’s important to seek professional dental care during this stage, as it’s easily reversible with a deep dental cleaning and a proper oral hygiene routine.
If you don’t receive proper dental treatment, your gingivitis will eventually turn into periodontitis, a more serious stage of gum disease. At this stage, the bacteria is now affecting both the gums and the surrounding bone. You may start to notice symptoms including longer teeth, which is caused due to your gums receding. Your gums are also constantly swollen, painful, and are more likely to easily bleed.
If you suffer from a mild case of gum disease that’s in the gingivitis stage, our Denton office can treat you with a professional deep cleaning to eliminate bacteria. Scaling and root planing involved the use of specialized tools to remove calcified plaque from above and below the gumline.
Treatment is quick and non-invasive, requiring only one appointment with Dr. Ruehle. By addressing your gum disease early on, you can prevent major health complications and avoid the need for additional dental procedures in the future.
Dr. Ruehle can perform laser therapy for patients whose gum disease has reached the periodontitis stage. A precise laser is used to gently and thoroughly remove the infected tissue and disinfect the root surfaces, allowing the gums to reattach properly to your teeth. This treatment doesn’t require a scalpel or stitches, and you will recover quickly with little to no discomfort.
Gum disease occurs as a result of built-up bacteria on and beneath your gums, typically from not brushing and flossing enough or skipping your bi-annual dental appointments. This bacteria eventually hardens into a substance known as tartar, putting you at increased risk of oral infection. If gum disease is allowed to progress, it could leave you more susceptible to many other health conditions including tooth loss, heart disease, and stroke.
In addition to scheduling bi-annual dental visits at our Denton office, you’ll want to practice a thorough oral hygiene regimen to promote healthy gums. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily, and rinsing between meals.
Both of our listed treatments are relatively painless and should never cause more than minor discomfort. Our staff at Garden Oaks Family & Cosmetic Dentistry are dedicated to making you feel as safe as possible during your procedure. It’s important to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ruehle to determine which treatment process is best suited to your unique case.
Dr. Ruehle is dedicated to helping patients achieve a beautiful smile and healthy gums. The best way to prevent gum disease is to visit us at least once every six months for a checkup and professional cleaning. To schedule an appointment, contact our Denton office at (940)-566-4888 or fill out an online contact form for a staff member to get back to you.
