Periodontal Disease

Gum disease is a serious condition that affects people from all walks of life. Pike Smiles provides periodontal services for all stages of gum disease to restore your oral health.

Periodontal Disease Treatment in Falls Church, VA

Periodontal disease, also known as periodontitis or gum disease, is an infection that affects the gums and bone surrounding your teeth. The healthy structures of gums and bone help keep a tooth’s root intact. When food and plaque get trapped between the gums and teeth, it can lead to an infection, which results in gum disease. This serious dental condition affects many people and is caused by bacteria from plaque formation on the teeth.

Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums and is one of the earliest stages of gum disease. Common symptoms of gingivitis include slight redness, swelling, or light bleeding of the gums. If left untreated, gingivitis can turn into a more severe infection known as periodontal disease, which can lead to permanent structural damage. Nearly half of all adults suffer from periodontitis to some extent. Left untreated, it can progress and lead to bone and tooth loss.

illustration of periodontal disease

  • What are the signs of periodontal disease or gum disease?

    The earliest sign of periodontitis is an irritated gum line that might present some discomfort or bleeding when you brush, floss or have your teeth cleaned professionally. If not treated, the gums will start to retract and pull away from the teeth. This creates spaces between the teeth and gums called periodontal pockets that can quickly become filled with harmful accumulations. Your dentist will typically measure the depths of these pockets to determine how far the condition has spread and what treatment is needed to correct the problem. If gum disease eventually makes its way down to the jawbone and the connective tissues of teeth, the jawbone can deteriorate, and teeth can be lost.

    Some of the most common symptoms of periodontal disease include:

    •   Gum recession
    •   “Long teeth”
    •   Tooth mobility (loose tooth/movement)
    •   Sore teeth when you chew/bite
    •   Spaces between teeth
    •   Deep pockets under your gums
    •   Visible bone loss on X-rays
    •   Heavy tartar buildup
    •   Bad breath
    •   Bleeding when you brush and floss
    •   Swollen, red gums

    Please keep in mind that if you smoke, vape, or use tobacco products, you may not see the same symptoms as someone who doesn’t. Your tissues could look “healthy” due to the lack of bleeding or swelling, even if the disease is present.

  • How is periodontal disease or gum disease treated?

    Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is effectively treated in two ways, which treatment you receive depends on the severity of the gum disease.

    Scaling and root planning are recognized as the standard treatment for periodontitis. The procedure is highly effective in managing the condition in its early to moderate stages. It also does an excellent job of reversing its harmful effects. When providing scaling and root planing treatment, your dentist will access the areas below the gum line and between the teeth and remove harmful accumulations of plaque, tartar and oral bacteria. Then the root surfaces will be smoothed out to prevent future accumulations. Your gums should then begin the healing process and eventually reattach themselves to the teeth.

    The second treatment is called bone grafting and is often required when bacteria and plaque have reached the jawbone and caused some amount of deterioration and decay. Your dentist must surgically access the damaged jawbone in order to regenerate it. This is accomplished by applying proteins and artificial bone-like material to the areas of decay. This will help encourage new bone growth. Bone grafting is often a necessary step for strengthening the jawbone so that it can support dental implants to replace missing teeth.

  • How do I know if I have periodontal disease or gum disease?

    The first signs of periodontal disease or gum disease are red and swollen gums, gums that bleed when you floss or brush and untreated gingivitis. Advanced signs of gum disease include loss of teeth and exposure of your tooth’s root. Periodontitis, or gum disease, can lead to tooth loss if not treated properly.

  • What is gum recession?

    Receding gums affect about half of Americans over the age of 50. But, young people can experience gum recession too. You may be genetically predisposed to gum recession. Some people are born with thin gums. Other times the environment might contribute to recession. Things like aggressive brushing, trauma, surgery, or ill-fitting partials can cause recession.

    Treatment of Gum Recession

    If you notice a tooth looks long or you experience sensitivity or pain when brushing and flossing, you could have gum recession. Be sure to come in and have the doctor take a look. If you have recession we can typically graft a small amount of skin from your palate and patch it over the receding area. The treatment helps protect the tooth from further damage. It is a minor procedure that can be done for a single tooth or multiple teeth depending on your need.

More Questions?

If you have any questions about periodontal disease (gum disease) treatment please contact our office and we will be happy to answer any questions.

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Pike Smiles

6231 Leesburg Pike
Suite 304
Falls Church, VA 22044
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Hours

Monday - Thursday
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Phone

(703) 533-8200

Email Address

[email protected]