Periodontal Treatment in North Carolina
Providing quality gum disease treatment in Durham, Raleigh, and Goldsboro.
Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, affects nearly half of all adults in the United States. If left untreated, it can lead to serious discomfort and even tooth loss. Because the early stage can be painless, it often goes unnoticed. Fortunately, even in advanced stages, there are effective periodontal treatment options available. At Carolina Dental Arts, we are dedicated to providing the highest-quality care to keep your gums and teeth healthy.
Signs You May Need Periodontal Treatment
Periodontal disease can often sneak up on you without warning. Recognizing the signs and symptoms can make all the difference in maintaining your oral health.
- Red or swollen gums: Healthy gums are generally pink and firm. If your gums appear red and swollen, it indicates inflammation. Swollen gums are often due to plaque buildup along the gum line, and this inflammation is your body’s response to bacteria.
- Bleeding gums: Bleeding gums while brushing or flossing often signal gum disease. Plaque accumulation can irritate and inflame your gums, making them more prone to bleeding.
- Receding gums: When gums start pulling away from your teeth, they create pockets that harbor bacteria. As the gums recede, they expose your tooth roots, making them more sensitive.
- Persistent bad breath: The bacteria that cause gum disease can also lead to chronic bad breath. These bacteria produce toxins that cause unpleasant odors, even with regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing.
- Loose or shifting teeth: As gum disease progresses, it can damage the bones that support your teeth. This can cause teeth to become loose or shift position, affecting your bite and your overall oral function.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to visit our office as soon as possible. Addressing gum disease early can prevent serious complications and keep your smile healthy.
Stages of Periodontal Disease
Did you know that periodontal disease develops in stages? If left untreated or if proper oral hygiene isn’t maintained, these stages can progress and lead to more serious issues. But what exactly are these stages, and what do they mean for your oral health?
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of periodontal disease that occurs when plaque builds up on teeth. This sticky bacterial film causes your gums to become red and swollen and bleed easily during brushing or flossing. Gingivitis often presents with mild symptoms, making it easy to overlook. However, with proper oral hygiene and regular cleanings, gingivitis can be reversed.
Periodontitis
If left untreated, gingivitis becomes periodontitis. At this point, the inflammation spreads below the gum line, causing the gums and bone to pull away from the teeth. These changes create periodontal pockets. These pockets can become infected, and the body’s immune response to the infection starts to break down the bone and connective tissue that holds teeth in place. Unlike gingivitis, periodontitis causes irreversible damage, and managing it requires professional treatment to prevent further deterioration.
Advanced Periodontitis
Advanced periodontitis is the most severe stage of gum disease. At this stage, the infection has caused significant damage to the structures supporting your teeth. The pockets between your gums and teeth are much deeper, allowing more bacteria to accumulate and causing further bone loss. This can lead to loose or shifting teeth. Without treatment, advanced periodontitis can result in tooth loss.
Periodontal Disease Treatment
Our dentists in North Carolina tailor periodontal disease treatments based on the severity of the condition to ensure you receive the most effective care. For mild cases of gum disease, we typically recommend two professional cleanings. Along with these cleanings, we provide detailed instructions on improving your daily oral hygiene habits. Regular dental cleanings are essential in maintaining gum health and preventing the progression of the disease.
When periodontal disease has advanced, a more intensive treatment called scaling and root planing is necessary. This deep cleaning procedure targets the plaque and tartar that have accumulated above and below the gums. During scaling and root planing, we remove tartar, plaque, and toxins from the gum pockets and smooth rough spots on the root surfaces.
If the gum pockets do not heal adequately after scaling and root planing, we may recommend periodontal surgery. This advanced treatment option aims to further reduce the depth of the pockets and eliminate any remaining infection.
If the disease has totally compromised the tooth and it cannot be saved, we can use dental implants or mini dental implants to permanently replace it. These artificial tooth roots are made from medical-grade titanium and are built to last many years. Our dentists are highly skilled in dental implant treatment planning and placement, ensuring you receive the best possible results from your tooth replacement procedure.
Learn More About Our Periodontal Treatment Options Today
If you’re concerned about your gum health or just want to ensure your teeth stay healthy, we are here to help. At Carolina Dental Arts, our dedicated team provides quality care to diagnose, treat, and prevent periodontal disease. Don’t wait for issues to escalate—schedule a free consultation with us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gum disease isn’t just a condition found in adults; children can develop it, too. Poor oral hygiene, certain illnesses and medications, mouth breathing, and diet are common contributors to gum disease in kids. Regular dental checkups are the best way to prevent and manage this issue. At these checkups, we can catch early signs of gum disease and address them before they become serious.
Pregnant women are more likely to develop gum disease compared to non-pregnant women. According to the CDC, 60% to 75% of pregnant women experience gingivitis, which causes inflammation and bleeding of the gums. Hormonal changes during pregnancy make the gums more susceptible to plaque buildup, increasing the risk of gingivitis and gum disease.
No, you should not have your teeth pulled solely because you have gum disease. Tooth extractions do not cure gum disease and should only be considered as a last resort.
However, in severe cases, extractions might be necessary if the disease has badly damaged the bone and gum tissue, making the teeth loose and likely to fall out. Removing loose teeth can improve comfort and reduce further infection. The best way to determine the right treatment is to visit our office for a checkup. Our dentists will evaluate your situation and suggest the best plan for you.