Gum treatment in Miami Beach, Florida

A healthy smile includes healthy teeth, as well as healthy gums. The mouth’s bacteria can attack the enamel of your 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 there with about half of Americans over the age of 30 who have some form of periodontal disease. “Peri” means around and the root word “dontic” means tooth; periodontal disease is just another way to say gum disease.

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and that’s the only stage during which gum disease is reversible. Our dentist in Miami Beach will 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 the gum line and erode the tissues and bone that hold the teeth in place.

There are several factors that can lead to periodontal disease, including:

• Aging
• Poor dental hygiene
• Poor tooth alignment
• Poor nutrition
• Smoking
• Genetic predisposition
• Pregnancy
• Stress
• Systemic diseases such as diabetes

What Are Common Signs of Periodontal Disease?

Many times, periodontal disease begins as a painless infection with just a few symptoms. As it advances, though, you may have one or more of these signs of periodontal disease:

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

If you have any of these gum disease symptoms, please call Miami Beach Dental Center today at (786) 838-4176.

What Are the Types of Gum Disease?

Gingivitis is the first and only stage of gum disease that is reversible with professional dental treatment and good dental hygiene at home.

If the gingivitis is not treated, it will likely lead to periodontitis. As it progresses, gum disease breaks down the tissues and bones that support the teeth, causing the gums to separate from the teeth. These are called “pockets.”

Bacteria can gather in those pockets, leading to further destruction of the gum tissue and bone. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. It has also been linked to diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

How is Periodontal Disease Treated?

Something many people don’t realize is that a regular teeth cleaning, called a prophylaxis, only polishes the tooth above the gum line.

To treat the bacteria found below the gum line, our periodontist or hygienist in Miami Beach will use a technique called scaling and root planing to remove plaque and tartar from periodontal pockets and smooth the tooth’s root to remove bacteria.

If needed, an antibiotic can be applied, as well, to treat the gum infection. If gum disease is diagnosed, you may require more frequent teeth cleanings and periodontal maintenance to treat the infected areas and keep the gum disease from advancing.

Periodontal disease is a systemic disease; it’s only reversible when it is caught and treated in the gingivitis stage. If the bone that supports your teeth is destroyed due to periodontal disease, our dentist or a specialist 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 practice diligent oral hygiene at home and have professional teeth cleanings at least twice a year – more if you require periodontal maintenance.

Brush your teeth after each meal and floss at least once a day to prevent tartar build-up on your teeth and below your gum line.