Do I Have Gum Disease?

Many patients are shocked to learn that gum disease affects nearly half of all American adults. Many of those affected don’t know that they have this condition. It’s prevalent in patients who don’t visit the dentist’s office enough for checkups and who don’t keep up with regular brushing and flossing. Learn the signs of gum disease so that you can take immediate steps to resolve this problem with help from Ultimate Dental Studio in Port Orange, FL.

Understanding Gum Disease
Gum disease happens when the gums become infected with bad bacteria. The presence and growth of bad bacteria causes inflammation in the gums. The bone tissue beneath the gum line deteriorates over time if it’s not treated. In its early stages, gum disease is called gingivitis and when it progresses it’s called periodontitis. Cases range from mild to severe. Each stage requires a specific treatment or solution and in many cases the condition can be successfully cured with periodontal therapy.

Signs of Gum Disease
If you want to know if you’re one of the many American adults who have gum disease, here are a few clear signs of this oral condition:

- Red or blackening gums (healthy gums are pink).
- Bleeding every time that you brush or floss.
- Loosening teeth or pockets around the teeth.
- Unpleasant odor from the mouth that doesn’t go away after rinsing with mouthwash.

Getting Back to Healthy Gums
If you’re diagnosed with gum disease, rest assured that there are treatments available that can bring your gums back to good health. Here are the options your dentist will discuss with you:

- Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing).
- Bone/gum grafting (adding bone tissue to help aid healing and strengthen the root of the tooth).
- Periodontal flap surgery (to reduce or remove periodontal pockets).

Get Treatment Today in Port Orange
If you believe you have gum disease, make an appointment with Dr. Jeff Kim at the Ultimate Dental Studio in Port Orange, FL. Call the office at (386) 322-4867 today.