Gum Disease Silver Spring MD | Gingivitis Bethesda

Periodontal Therapy An Overview

Dr. Dechter and Dr. Moy can diagnose and treat gum disease and place an emphasis on the importance of gum health in the long-term maintenance of your smile. The gums perform a key role in supporting oral health and also provide an important barrier between harmful bacteria in the mouth and the bloodstream. Healthy gum tissue supports healthy, stable teeth and is a necessary part of keeping your natural oral structure stable throughout your life.

Routine dental care can provide a foundation for maintaining gum health, providing the opportunity for us to screen for the early signs of gum disease. When gum disease is caught and treated early, conservative, less invasive treatments can be successful. Minimizing the incidence of gum disease through routine dental care can greatly reduce the risk of other dental problems and even tooth loss. Gum disease, more specifically periodontitis is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults today and can often be largely prevented with good oral hygiene.

Stages of Gum Disease

Gum disease is a progressive disease and has two distinct stages of development. Recognizing the signs of early gum disease is important so that they can be addressed before damage occurs to soft tissues and the teeth.

Gingivitis: early gum disease that is characterized by red or swollen gums, bleeding gums, increased sensitivity or irritation of the soft tissues. These symptoms are often most noticeable during tooth brushing and daily oral hygiene.
Periodontitis: advanced gum disease will affect the gum tissue and also begin to impact the integrity of the teeth. Symptoms can include those of gingivitis as well as changes in the fit of the bite, shifting teeth, changes in the fit of an oral appliance and deep pockets between the teeth and gums.

We will evaluate the condition of your gums if the signs of gum disease are evident and can also use advanced digital diagnostics as needed if there is damage that goes beyond the gum line.

Periodontal Therapy What to Expect

The goal of periodontal therapy is to restore and stabilize gum health. Treatment is dependent upon the stage of your gum disease and any damage that may have occurred. For patients who may have chronic gum disease due to genetics or a medical condition, we offer personalized care for your needs to help you maintain healthy gums between visits.

Treatment for gum disease can include:

Antibacterial rinse: the most conservative approach to early stage gingivitis, we may recommend using an anti-bacterial rinse as part of your daily oral hygiene routine to minimize plaque on the teeth and gums. This may also be prescribed as an ongoing regimen for patients with chronic gum disease.
Scaling and root planing: a thorough cleaning of all tooth surfaces and along the gumline, scaling and root planing also removes plaque from deep pockets where tooth roots may be exposed. The goal is to remove bacteria and allow the gum tissue to begin to heal and regenerate to avoid larger problems with the teeth.
Oral surgery: for patients with advanced periodontitis we may need to coordinate care with a local oral surgeon to remove or repair damaged gum tissue and set the stage for the healing process.