Gum treatment in Naples, Florida

Your day should start with a smile – a healthy smile. And to make your smile is all that, taking care of your teeth and gums needs to be a priority. You may not realize but bacteria in your mouth is working against you, attacking the enamel of your teeth, gum tissue and the bone keeping your teeth in their sockets. 

The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis, a common ailment that causes redness, irritation and swelling of the gums but is totally reversible. Our dentist in Naples can provide tips on how to improve your oral hygiene and eliminate gingivitis.

What Causes Periodontal Disease?

The situation becomes more serious when bacteria in plaque and tartar spreads below your gum line and erodes tissue and bone that keep the teeth in place. Factors that lead to more serious periodontal diseases include poor dental hygiene, crowded or misaligned teeth, poor nutrition, smoking and use of tobacco products, aging, genetic predisposition, pregnancy, long-term stress, and systematic diseases.

What Are Common Signs of Periodontal Disease?

Usually, gum disease begins as a simple infection with few symptoms. As it advances, you may notice other symptoms such as:

• Frequently bleeding gums
• Recession of gums from teeth
• A consistent bad taste in your mouth and bad
• Pus in your mouth or around teeth
• Teeth wobbling in their sockets

If you experience any of these symptoms, please call Towncare Dental of Naples at (239) 963-1743 for a consultation.

What Are the Types of Gum Disease?

Remain vigilant for signs of gingivitis because it is the only stage of gum disease that can be reversed by strong at-home dental hygiene and regular dentist visits.

If untreated, gingivitis progresses to periodontitis, a serious gum disease that can compromise the tissue and bone that support your teeth. It also can impact your overall health.

In periodontitis, gums separate from your teeth forming “pockets” where food and bacteria gather causing permanent damage that will need persistent treatment by dental professionals.

Periodontal disease is the leading cause of teeth becoming loose or falling out of mouths in adults, says the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

To avoid needing dental implants or dentures later in life, your oral health needs to be a priority.

How is Periodontal Disease Treated?

Your twice-a-year teeth cleaning, which polishes teeth above the gum line, is very helpful when it comes to gingivitis. However, if you have been diagnosed with a more serious periodontal disease, bacteria below the gum line must be treated.

Scaling and root planing, performed by a periodontist or hygienist at Towncare Dental of Naples, will remove plaque and tartar from pockets and eliminate bacteria through smoothing the roots of teeth. You may also be prescribed an antibiotic for your gum infection.

Frequent teeth cleanings and periodontal maintenance will be needed to keep the gum disease in check. Gum disease is a serious systemic disease and should be taken seriously.

If periodontal disease isn’t treated, teeth may become loose and/or fall out. To prevent this, our dentist or periodontist may perform regenerative procedures such as bone or tissue grafts or tissue-simulating proteins that restore tissue around your teeth to keep them in place.

What Can I Do at Home to Prevent Gum Disease?

You oral health is a lifetime commitment. A daily regimen of tooth brushing and flossing and twice-yearly dentist, are good steps toward a lifetime of healthy smiles. If you need assistance to achieve your goals, contact us at (239) 963-1743.