Gum disease is an extremely common dental concern that we treat in our Bethesda, MD dentist office. When gum disease occurs, this means that bacteria is eating away at your soft tissues and causing dental damage. Patients of all ages can be affected by gum disease. It’s important to visit your dentist if you suspect you are experiencing the signs and symptoms of gum disease. Learn more about our periodontal disease treatment approach below.
Periodontal Disease Treatment in Bethesda, MD
Dr. Khanna restores smiles following gum disease progression with periodontal disease treatment plans. Below are answers to frequently asked questions regarding gum disease and treatment options.
How do I prevent gum disease progression?
The best way to prevent gum disease progression is to schedule routine preventative care appointments with your local dentist once every six months. During our preventative care appointments, our dental professionals provide a thorough dental cleaning to remove any buildup surrounding your gum line. If this buildup is allowed to remain on your gum line for too long, you will begin to notice the signs and symptoms of gum disease. This is why we highly suggest patients stay on top of scheduling their routine dental care.
What are the symptoms of gum disease?
Gum disease usually begins with mild gum bleeding, also known as gingivitis. As gum disease progresses, you may notice a wide range of other symptoms including inflamed gums, increased tooth sensitivity, receding gum line, bad breath, and even tooth loss. It’s important to address gum disease early to avoid these more severe symptoms.
How is gum disease treated?
Gum disease is treated by cleaning away any bacteria along your gum line. This bacteria, if allowed to remain on your dental structures, will eat away at your healthy soft tissues and cause an infection. For severe cases of gum disease, we may need to provide a deep cleaning of the pockets of your gums to remove deep bacteria.
Are bleeding gums a dental emergency?
If you notice. a small amount of blood in the sink following brushing or flossing, this is not necessarily a dental emergency but rather a sign that you need to be more attentive to your oral hygiene and schedule your next dental cleaning as soon as possible. If the bleeding continues or becomes excessive, this would be considered a dental emergency and we would recommend contacting our office directly for further instruction.