The dental care team at Reliance Dental in Edmonton emphasizes the importance of maintaining gum health through routine preventive dental care. When gum disease leads to damage or tooth loss, restorative dentistry provides effective solutions to rebuild your oral health. We believe in the power of educating patients on this and how best to avoid gum disease based on their unique risk factors. Dr. Ranveer Chandy provides effective periodontal disease treatment in Edmonton, AB for patients with infected gums.
Why Maintain Gum Health?
Taking care of your gums is very important for your mouth and your overall health. Healthy gums help protect you from problems like gingivitis and periodontitis—two common types of gum disease. These conditions can cause pain, swelling, infections, and even tooth loss. Catching and treating gum problems early can help you avoid bigger issues later on.
Healthy gums can also:
Support Your Teeth and Bite
Your gums also help hold your teeth in place. When your gums are healthy, your teeth stay stable and lined up correctly. But if your gums become weak or infected, your teeth can get loose or move out of place, which can change your bite and your smile.
Keep Your Body Healthy
Gum health isn’t just about your mouth—it’s connected to your whole body. Studies show that gum disease may increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and lung problems. That means keeping your gums healthy might help protect you from these serious health issues.
Imrpove How Your Smile Looks
Healthy gums also make your smile look better. Red, puffy, or shrinking gums can affect how your teeth look and may hurt your self-confidence. Pink and firm gums make your smile more attractive.
Save Money
Finally, taking care of your gums can save you money. When you brush, floss, and see Dr. Chandy regularly, you can avoid expensive treatments like gum surgery. You can also avoid the need to replace lost teeth in the future.
Common Signs of Gum Disease
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, can start with mild symptoms but may get worse over time if it’s not treated. In serious cases, it can even lead to tooth loss. That’s why it’s important to know the signs early so you can get the right care.
Some common signs of gum disease we treat in our Edmonton, AB office include:
- Swollen or Red Gums: If your gums are red, puffy, or sore, it may be a sign of gum disease.
- Bleeding When Brushing or Flossing: If your gums bleed while you brush or floss, this is often an early warning sign of gum problems.
- Bad Breath That Doesn’t Go Away: If you have chronic bad breath (halitosis), it could be caused by bacteria building up around your gums.
- Receding Gums: Your gums might start to pull away from your teeth to make your teeth look longer and feel more sensitive.
- Loose or Shifting Teeth: As gum disease gets worse, it can damage the bone and tissue that hold your teeth in place.
- Changes in Your Bite: You might notice your teeth don’t fit together the same way when you bite down.
Don’t ignore the signs. Catching gum disease early makes it easier to treat. If you notice any of these signs, visit our Edmonton dental office as soon as you can. Early treatment can help save your gums, protect your teeth, and keep your smile healthy.
Periodontal Disease Treatment in Edmonton, AB
Our Edmonton dental office offers complete care for all symptoms and stages of gum disease. We’ll evaluate the condition of your gums during your visit and recommend the appropriate dental care and treatment to ensure the restoration of healthy gums.
Dental Cleaning for Early Gum Disease
In its early stage, gum disease is known as gingivitis. At this point, it can often be reversed with a professional dental cleaning and good home care. A dental cleaning removes the plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) that build up around your teeth and gums. After a cleaning, your gums can start to heal if you brush and floss every day.
Deep Gum Cleaning for Moderate Periodontitis
If gum disease gets worse, you may need a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing. This treatment goes below the gumline to remove plaque and tartar from the roots of your teeth. Then, our dentist smooths the roots to help the gums reattach and heal. This can help stop the disease from getting worse.
Antibiotic Treatments
Sometimes, the dentist may also recommend antibiotics to help fight the infection. These can be in the form of a gel that is placed directly into the gums or as a pill that you take by mouth. Antibiotics help reduce bacteria and make it easier for your gums to heal.
Surgery for Advanced Periodontitis
If gum disease has reached an advanced stage, surgery may be needed. One type of surgery is called flap surgery, where the dentist lifts the gums to clean deep pockets of bacteria. In some cases, bone grafts or other treatments may be needed to repair the bone and tissue that has been damaged.
How to Prevent Gum Disease
Keeping your gums healthy starts at home with good daily habits. One of the most important things you can do is brush your teeth at least twice a day. Make sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Brushing helps remove food and plaque, which can lead to gum disease if not cleaned away.
Flossing once a day is just as important. It removes food and plaque from between your teeth and under the gumline, places your toothbrush can’t reach. Dr. Chandy may also suggest using an antibacterial mouthwash. This can help kill germs and reduce the buildup of plaque along the gums.
Along with home care, regular visits to the dentist are key. During your check-ups, Dr. Chandy and the dental team can spot early signs of gum disease and give your teeth a deep cleaning if needed. Seeing the dentist at least twice a year helps catch problems early before they become serious.
Schedule a Gum Disease Consultation
Get effective periodontal disease treatment in Edmonton, AB, at Reliance Dental. Call Dr. Chandy today at 587-840-9984. You can also request an appointment online.