Gum Disease And Treatment Specialist

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is a condition that impairs your gums. It’s a bacterial infection that slowly erodes your gum tissue and is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults.

How does gum disease progress?

Gum disease happens when plaque is left on the surfaces of your teeth for too long. Acids and bacteria in the plaque irritate your gum tissue, which eventually becomes infected. The condition progresses through two distinct phases: gingivitis and periodontitis.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. During this stage, your gums have just started to become irritated. They respond by getting tender, red and swollen, and they might bleed when you brush or floss. Dr. Jabaiti can usually reverse gingivitis with more frequent professional cleanings, but if left to progress, it can turn into periodontitis.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is the more advanced stage of gum disease and happens when your gums begin to pull away from your teeth to escape the irritating acids and bacteria in the plaque. When your gums recede, they create pockets between your teeth and gums. These pockets are highly susceptible to collecting plaque and debris that further irritate your gums, which, in turn, causes them to recede even further. This cycle continues until the infection eventually deteriorates the structures holding your teeth in place, leaving them to fall out.

What are the signs of gum disease?

Gum disease can produce any of the following symptoms:

• Swelling or tenderness in your gums
• Red or inflamed gums
• Bleeding when you brush or floss
• Receding gums, or teeth that look longer
• Change in how your bite feels
• Loose teeth

Gum disease often develops silently, however, meaning that many people don’t realize that they have it until it’s already in its later stage. Dr. Jabaiti is trained to recognize the earliest indications of gum disease, however, and can spot it early if you maintain regular cleanings and checkups.

How do you treat gum disease?

Avra Dental offers a variety of high-quality treatments for gum disease, including:

• Professional dental cleanings
• Scaling and root planing
• Laser gum therapy
• Pocket reduction 

Dr. Jabaiti and the team use the most state-of-the-art equipment to rehabilitate your gums, like the Prophy-Jet® air polisher. They also offer cosmetic treatments, like gum lifts, to help improve the appearance of your smile.

Find out more about the exceptional gum treatments at Avra Dental today by calling the office or using the online booking system to schedule a consultation.