GUM DISEASE & RECESSION WILMINGTON, NC

Edgerton & Glenn provide a Variety of Preventative, Restorative, and Cosmetic Dental Services to Wilmington, NC Residents. Call To Schedule Your Consultation Today.

Gum Disease Therapy

For the seriousness of gum disease and the resulting majority of teeth lost to it, gum disease is too common. More than half of Americans over the age 30 have some form of first stage gum disease or periodontitis. By the age of 65, advanced gum disease affects more than 70% of people. While it only starts as inflammation and infection in the gums around the teeth, it ends as tooth loss and even jaw bone loss. More importantly, gum disease is linked to diabetes, heart disease, stroke and Alzheimer’s so if you can address gum disease before it advances and before you suffer, then you and your smile will have a long life.

Periodontal disease can be treated and reversed or stopped, so it does not have to be a permanent state for your mouth. Once you have a dental exam and address your gum disease, you will find your mouth to be much healthier.

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Avoiding Gum Disease

With the number of adults affected by gum disease, it may seem that it is a viral infection and once you have it, you will always have it. However, that is not the case; gum disease is completely preventable and can be completely reversed if treated in its early stages. The best way to avoid gum disease is by brushing and flossing twice a day and following through with your twice yearly cleanings and exams with your dentist. These small tasks are the key to prevention in so many dental afflictions.

Another common suggestion made by health professionals in the prevention of disease is still very applicable to your oral health. A healthy diet and regular exercise not only have an impact on your body and physique, but on your teeth and gums as well. Sugar causes inflammation and is a great food source for the gum disease causing bacteria. Decreasing your risk of diabetes significantly reduces your risk of gum disease.

Gum Disease Progression

Gum disease is most common in its earliest stage, as gingivitis, and it usually originates from a buildup of plaque where the tooth meets the gum. When the plaque is not removed, the gingivitis is apparent when it causes irritation, swelling, bleeding or even puffiness along the gum line. When early gum disease is not addressed by your dentist with a deep cleaning and followed up with your improved at home oral care routine, it become early periodontitis.

Gingivitis turns into early periodontitis when the plaque remains and the bacteria increases to a more invasive amount on the gum line as well as below the gum line. This buildup results in excessive gum bleeding and must be addressed professionally by your dentist with deep cleanings, follow ups and potential gum and tooth root therapy.

Early periodontitis transitions to advanced periodontitis when the gum tissue is dying from all the bacteria, plaque and their toxins. There are spaces, or pockets, between the gums and the teeth for these dangers to fester and multiply. As pockets increase in size, the gums shrink away from the teeth and the bone deteriorates. You will need to address this stage with serious advanced treatments, like bone grafting and gum grafting in an effect to decrease the pocket size. The time spent at appointments and the money spent on treatment could have been avoided with earlier detection and proper routine exams and cleanings.

More on Gum Recession

Periodontitis in all its stages is a result of gum inflammation and infection and can often result in gum recession or when the space between the gums and the teeth starts to increase to allow for the growth of plaque and bacteria. The plaque and bacteria produce toxins which kill the closest gum tissue, which in turn, leads to a large gap between the tooth and the remaining gum. The gum tissue will continue to receded and die until the tooth’s root is exposed and the tooth decays and dies.

Gum recession happens a small amount at a time, so it is not always noticeable until large amount of the gum is dead and gone. Once you notice the change, your tooth is more exposed than it once was, and you are more susceptible to infection, pain and losing the tooth.

Causes of Gum Recession

You may find that looking back at older photos, your gums have shifted and more of your actual teeth are visible than they once were. Even if you are not suffering from periodontal disease, you can still experience gum recession due to disjointed bite, aggressive tooth brushing and genetics.

Treating Gum Recession

For whatever the reason, if you are suffering from gum recession, you and your dentist can address a treatment plan to help reattached the gum so as to cover the root. More advanced gum recession will require covering the exposed roots with more advanced techniques like gum grafts or transplants.

Periodontal Therapy

Periodontal therapy is a focus of dentistry that treats diseased gums with surgical and nonsurgical means to restore the gums to a healthy state and prevent tooth loss. Dentists can use a variety of methods depending on how advanced the periodontitis is which include gum grafting, tooth scaling and root planing, periodontal plastic surgery, crown lengthening surgery, periodontal laser therapy, and dental implants.

Costs of Gum Disease / Recession Therapy

Costs for each procedure vary depending on how long the procedure takes, what materials the procedure requires, how many visits the procedure requires, and the amount of work the dentist is required to do. It may surprise you to know, but dental insurance may cover some of the costs for these as well as elective procedures as they lead to improved overall dental health and long term benefits. If you do not have dental insurance coverage or you have any questions about payment options for your treatment plan, you are more than welcome to talk to our staff at any time. Your budget’s health is just as important as your mouth’s health.

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High Quality Care You Can Trust

At Edgerton & Glenn Cosmetic and General Dentistry. We strive to build relationships with our patients. You are more than just teeth, you are our patient and friend and we want to help you to achieve and maintain oral health as best we can. We look forward to meeting you and talking about what is best for you and your mouth. Please contact us to set up a gum disease therapy appointment at (910) 256-9230.

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