Upper West Side Gum Disease Treatment

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, can have a permanent and debilitating impact on your oral health. If you find yourself dealing with sore or swollen gums, perpetual bad breath, or gum recession, don’t wait. Get in touch with our dental experts on the Upper West Side right away.

Our team at Dental West NYC can recommend treatment plans that target your gum disease before it can worsen your oral health. Schedule your first appointment with our dental team today to learn more about the methods we’ve used to help hundreds of patients like you reverse their gum disease.

Understanding Gum Disease

Periodontal disease refers to inflammation and infection of the tissues that support your teeth. Poor oral hygiene can result in gum disease. However, some people are more prone to this condition than others are, even with proper brushing and flossing.

Almost half of all adults in the United States have some form of gum disease. It’s the leading cause of tooth loss for many adults, meaning it’s imperative to seek treatment before symptoms grow worse. 

Recognizing Symptoms of Gum Disease

Periodontal disease symptoms may include:

• Reddish or purplish gums
• Bleeding
• Soreness
• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Unpleasant taste in the mouth
• Pain when chewing
• Gum recession (gums that pull away from your teeth)
• Loose teeth.
• A change in the way your teeth fit together

Our team will work with you to ensure you get the best care possible for any gum disease symptoms you notice.

Breaking Down the Stages of Gum Disease

There are four stages of gum disease. These include:

Gingivitis

This is the earliest stage of gum disease. It starts with red, puffy gums that may bleed when you brush or floss. At this stage, there’s no bone loss. As a result, gingivitis is often totally reversible with proper treatment.

Mild Periodontitis

During this stage, the bacteria have seeped beneath your gums, affecting the supporting bone. Your gums may pull away from your teeth, creating pockets around them. Plaque and bacteria like to hide in these pockets, where your toothbrush and floss can’t reach.

Moderate Periodontitis

Left untreated, bacteria will begin to erode the ligaments, soft tissues, and bone that hold your teeth in place. You may notice bad breath and pus (infection) around your gum line. Some people develop pain at this stage as well.

Advanced Periodontitis

As periodontal disease worsens, bone loss continues. This can cause your teeth to become loose and eventually fall out.

Recognizing Conditions That May Worsen Gum Disease

Buildup of dental plaque is the number one cause of periodontal disease. Plaque contains many different kinds of bacteria that can potentially infect your gums. That’s why you’re more likely to get gum disease if you have poor oral hygiene. In some people, genes also play a role in gum disease by changing the way their immune system responds to bacteria.

There are various other risk factors that can increase someone’s chances of developing gum disease, such as: 

• Smoking or other tobacco use
• Poor oral hygiene
• Diabetes
• Autoimmune diseases, including lupus, scleroderma, and Crohn’s disease
• Hormonal changes, particularly during puberty, pregnancy and menopause
• Stress
• Heart disease

Dental West NYC will support you every step of the way during your gum disease treatment. 

How Dentists Treat Gum Disease

One of our dentists at Dental West NYC can tell you if you have gum disease during a routine examination. We’ll look for plaque buildup on your teeth and ask you about your symptoms. They may refer you to one of our periodontists for further evaluation and treatment.

Then, our team will measure the pockets around your teeth using an instrument called a periodontal probe. This tells them how much bone you’ve lost around your teeth. The deeper the pockets, the more severe the gum disease you have. Your periodontist will check your bite, how loose your teeth are, and how much your gums are pulling away from your teeth.

Additionally, we may take dental X-rays. These images show the areas of bone loss in detail. They can also look at older X-rays to see how your bone has changed over time.

Laser Therapy for Gum Disease

Laser therapy is revolutionizing the treatment of gum disease. By using lasers for procedures such as laser pocket disinfection (LPD), we can eliminate harmful bacteria and promote healthy gum tissue without the need for traditional scalpel techniques. This minimally invasive approach reduces recovery time and minimizes discomfort.

Contact an Experienced Oral Surgeon Today

You don’t have to let gum disease permanently compromise your oral health. If you need help addressing gum disease at any stage, call on Dental West NYC for support. You can schedule a treatment consultation with our periodontist to discuss what treatment plans might best help you restore your oral health.

Our team offers straightforward advice when it comes to oral care, and we even provide free fluoride treatments with every teeth cleaning. If you’re ready to learn more about the treatments you can use to combat gum disease, call (212) 580-4520 or fill out our contact form.