Gum treatment in Suffern, NY

Are Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease the Same?

The first stage of periodontal disease is called gingivitis and it's the only stage of gum disease that's completely reversible. If you have any of the signs of gingivitis, then you should seek a gingivitis cure from your dentist. The sooner the disease is treated, the better the prognosis, so if you have gum disease symptoms, then call our Suffern office today to schedule an appointment.

What’s the Cause of Gum Disease?

The most common cause of this disease is inadequate oral hygiene. After you eat and drink, a sticky film called plaque begins to cover your teeth. Plaque is filled with bacteria and if the bacteria aren't removed through brushing and flossing, then decay begins to form. When plaque remains on the teeth, it becomes tartar, which is a hard substance that must be removed by a dentist. The best gum disease cure is a regimen of good oral hygiene that includes professional exams and cleanings, so if you need a gum disease treatment, then call our Suffern office and we'll be happy to help you.

Are There Symptoms of This Disease?

You may have gingivitis symptoms or you may have gum disease but have no symptoms. The most frequent gingivitis symptoms are:

• Halitosis or an off taste in your mouth
• Inflamed, sensitive or swollen gums
• Minor bleeding when you brush or floss that may be accompanied by pain

Are There Warning Signs for This Disease?

During your dental examination, your dentist will check for the presence of the following:

• Infected or inflamed areas around your gums
• Pus around your teeth and gums
• Loose or unevenly spaced teeth
• Swollen or receding gums

The presence of these signs of gum disease will help your dentist to determine the best course of treatment for your disease. Reversing gum disease is usually possible when it's treated early, so don't procrastinate.

What Are the Various Stages of This Disease?

Periodontal disease has three stages.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and at this point, reversing gum disease has the best prognosis. Even if you're asymptomatic, you should consult a dentist about gum disease in Suffern since you may have the disease without being aware of it.

Periodontitis

When gum disease is left untreated, it will progress to periodontitis, which is the second stage of the disease. At this point, you will have permanent damage to your gums and jawbone and your teeth may start to loosen. Periodontal pockets will form along your gums and will begin to trap plaque and food debris, which will cause decay to form. Aggressive treatment is needed at this stage in order to save your teeth. Types of treatment can include scaling, root planing, antibiotics, and surgery for extreme cases of gum disease.

Advanced Periodontitis

This is the final stage of gum disease and at this point, it cannot be reversed. You'll have permanently damaged your jawbone and gums and will have lost most or all of your teeth. It's unfortunate because this disease is completely curable in its early stage, yet this preventable disease is responsible for more tooth loss than any other disease for those adults who are over 35 years of age. If you have gum disease in Suffern, don't wait until you reach this stage. Call our Suffern office today to schedule an appointment for a gingivitis cure.

Can This Disease Be Cured?

When you consult your dentist during the first stage of this disease, a gingivitis cure is probable. However, if you wait until the disease progresses to the second and third stages, then you may be able to ameliorate the damage but it cannot be reversed. The best gingivitis cure is disease prevention. A regimen of good oral hygiene that includes professional exams and cleanings will prevent gum disease from forming. Even if you have no symptoms, you should schedule annual checkups and cleanings because gum disease can present asymptomatically. If you'd like to schedule an exam, then call our Suffern office and we can help you.

Can I Cure Gingivitis at Home?

Although your at-home efforts will play a major role in preventing the onset of this disease, you should still have professional exams and cleanings since you may be unaware that you need a gingivitis treatment. Your home efforts should include brushing and flossing at least twice daily and using an antibacterial mouthwash. If you want to schedule a gingivitis treatment for your gum disease symptoms, then call us today.

How Do I Reverse the Effects of Gingivitis and Advanced Periodontitis?

Reversing the damage while the disease is in its first stage should have a good outcome, but if you wait until the disease has progressed to advanced periodontitis, then reconstructive procedures will probably be your only option. By the time the disease reaches the stage of advanced periodontitis, it has caused major damage that probably can't be repaired.

If you need a gingivitis treatment for your signs of gingivitis, then call Ramapo Dental Care at (845) 512-1219 and we can help you. Our dentists are skilled at treating gingivitis symptoms and we look forward to working with you, so call us today. Don't risk losing your teeth to this completely preventable disease.