Gum Disease Treatment Portland

What Causes Gum Disease?

The major cause of gum disease is plaque build-up due to poor oral hygiene (irregular brushing and flossing).

Plaque, the sticky, film of bacteria that forms on the teeth, develops when food containing carbohydrates, sugar, and starches are left on the teeth. The bacteria that live in your mouth feed off of these foods, producing acids that eventually destroy both tooth enamel and result in tooth decay. Plaque can also develop on the tooth roots under the gum and cause a breakdown of the bone supporting the tooth.

The Stages of Gum Disease

The early stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis where the gums become swollen and red, and they may bleed. A more serious form of gum disease is known as periodontitis where the gums can pull away from the tooth, bone can be lost, and teeth may loosen or fall out.

Signs & Symptoms of Gum Disease

The warning signs for gum disease may not always be obvious, but they do point to some form of the disease, including

• Bleeding gums during and after brushing
• Red or swollen gums
• Tender or bleeding gums
• Receding gums
• Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth
• Painful chewing
• Loose teeth
• Sensitive teeth
• Gums that have pulled away from your teeth
• Formation of deep pockets between teeth and gums
• Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• Any change in the fit of partial dentures
  

Diagnosing Gum Disease

For a diagnosis of gum disease, one of our dentists will examine your gums for bleeding, swelling, firmness, and pocket depth (the space between the gum and tooth). The larger and deeper the pocket, the more severe the disease. Your dentist will also examine your teeth to see the movement and sensitivity of teeth and proper teeth alignment, and your jawbone to help detect the breakdown of bone surrounding your teeth.

How We Treat Gum Disease

If you are diagnosed with gum disease, your dentist will develop a treatment plan for you that is based on your stage of the disease, how you have responded to earlier treatments, and your overall health. Options range from non-surgical to control bacterial growth to surgery to restore supportive tissues.

Gingivitis is treatable with regular dental check-ups and dental cleanings. The more severe forms of periodontal disease can also be treated successfully but may require more extensive treatment. Such treatment might include a deep cleaning of the tooth root surfaces below the gums, medications prescribed to take by mouth or placed directly under the gums, and sometimes corrective surgery. These treatments promote reattachment of healthy gums to teeth; reduce swelling, depth of pockets, the risk of infection; and stop disease progression.

Scaling & Root Planing

For active gum disease, your dentist may recommend scaling and root planing, which is a non-surgical treatment option.

Scaling and root planing treatment are deep cleaning procedures done under a local anesthetic. Plaque and tartar (hardened plaque or calculus) are scraped away (scaling) from above and below the gumline, and rough spots on the tooth are made smooth (planing). In smoothing the rough spots, bacteria is removed and provides a clean surface for the gums to reattach to the teeth.

Gum Disease FAQs