Gum treatment in Hollywood, Florida

There are several factors that can lead to gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, including:

• Stress
• Smoking
• Poor nutrition
• Crooked teeth
• Getting older
• Genetic predisposition
• Pregnancy
• Poor dental hygiene
• Systemic diseases such as diabetes

A healthy smile can only be accomplished with both healthy teeth and healthy gums. The bacteria in your mouth can attack the enamel of the teeth and attack the gum tissue and bone that hold your teeth in place. If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, you’re among many with the same issue.

Half of Americans over the age of 30 have some stage of periodontal disease. “Peri” means around and “dontic” means tooth. The first stage of periodontal disease is gingivitis, and that’s the only stage that is reversible. Our dentist in Hollywood can examine your gums to ensure they are healthy and able to support your teeth for years to come.

What Causes Periodontal Disease?

The bacteria in plaque and tartar can spread below your gum line and erode the tissues and bone that hold the teeth in place.

What Are Common Signs of Periodontal Disease?

Many times, gum disease starts out as a painless infection with few symptoms. But as it advances, you may have one or more of these signs of periodontal disease. Our team at Dental Associates of Hollywood will look for:

• Red, puffy, or bleeding gums
• Gum recession
• Bad breath
• Bad taste in the mouth
• Pus around the teeth
• Loose teeth

If you have any of these symptoms of gum disease, call us today at (954) 246-4851.

What Are the Types of Gum Disease?

Did you know that the first stage of gum disease is gingivitis? It can be reversed with professional dental treatment and good dental hygiene at home.

Without treatment, the gingivitis can lead to periodontitis. As the disease progresses, it breaks down your gum tissues and bones that support the teeth, causing the gums to separate from the teeth. These areas are called “pockets.” More bacteria gathers in these pockets, leading to further destruction of the gum tissue and bone.

Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. It has also been linked to several other diseases, including diabetes and heart disease.

How is Periodontal Disease Treated?

Many people don’t realize that a regular teeth cleaning, called a prophylaxis, just polishes the teeth above the gum line. To treat bacteria below the gum line, our periodontist or hygienist in Hollywood will scale and root-plane your teeth to remove plaque and tartar from periodontal pockets and smooth the tooth root to remove bacteria. If needed, an antibiotic can be applied to treat any gum infection.

You may require more frequent teeth cleanings and periodontal maintenance to treat infected areas and keep the gum disease from advancing. Gum disease is a systemic disease, meaning it is only reversible when it is caught in the gingivitis stage. If the bone supporting your teeth has been destroyed by periodontal disease, our dentist or periodontist may recommend a regenerative procedure like a bone graft, tissue graft, or tissue-stimulating proteins to regenerate bone and tissue.

What Can I Do at Home to Prevent Gum Disease?

The most effective way to prevent gum disease is to come to our office to have professional teeth cleanings at least twice a year – more if you require periodontal maintenance – and proper at-home oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth after every meal and flossing at least once a day can prevent tartar build-up on your teeth and below your gum line, avoiding gum disease.