Gum Disease & Gingivitis

Treatment for Gum Disease

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a progressive disease that will deteriorate the gum tissue and bone that surrounds the teeth. When the gum tissue and bone begin to weaken, it can increase your risk of serious health conditions and cause your teeth to fall out. Our team here at Lytle Family Dentistry takes preventing gum disease seriously, which is why we offer periodontal disease treatment along with our general dentistry services.

An estimated half of adults over the age of thirty have gum disease, the leading cause of tooth loss. If you are showing any symptoms of periodontal disease and require gum disease treatment in the Lytle area, our office is here to help. We strive to provide the best service to patients of all ages. Dr. Justin Crocker and his team want to ensure your oral health is the best it can be.

Symptoms and Causes of Periodontal Disease

Gum disease is an infection in the gum tissue. Certain pre-existing health conditions can contribute to periodontal disease, but one of the main causes is poor oral hygiene. When you avoid your regular checkups and exams and skip your at-home routine, it allows plaque and tartar to build up on your teeth. As the plaque and tartar build-up, it begins to work its way along and below the gum line, which can cause various types of gum disease.

There are some signs of gum disease we recommend looking out for. The earlier you can treat gum disease, the easier it is to reverse it. Here are a few symptoms of gum disease:

Painful swollen gums
Bleeding gums (especially when flossing or brushing teeth)
Bad breath
Painful chewing
Loose or shifting teeth
Receding gums or teeth that appear longer

If you are showing any of these gum disease symptoms it is important to seek dental care. To address the issue as soon as possible, our office offers same-day or emergency dentistry.

If you cannot come in for an appointment and wonder how to cure gum disease without a dentist, here is what we recommend. While we do not recommend you completely avoid the problem, as this can just make matters worse, we can recommend some solutions to keep your gums healthy before your next appointment. Saltwater can be immensely effective in treating gum disease. Be sure to rinse with salt water 2-3 times a day or after every meal.

In the early stages of gum disease, we can reverse the issue with a simple cleaning. There are six different types of periodontal disease, and each determines the kind of periodontal therapy you need. Dr. Justin Crocker will look at your gums to determine what type of treatment is best for you in regards to which type of gum disease you have. Here are the six different types of gum disease.

Gingivitis: Your gums, when healthy, should be firm and pink. Gingivitis symptoms include bleeding gums, red, swollen, or sore gums. This is one of the early stages of gum disease, and we can treat the issue with periodontal cleaning and proper oral home care.
Periodontitis: This is a more advanced gum disease that affects below the gum line. This gum disease is more likely to deteriorate your jawbone and lead to tooth loss and jawbone atrophy.
Aggressive Periodontitis: This form of periodontitis rapidly progresses and quickly deteriorates your teeth. Because of its quick progression, it is important to spot this form of gum disease early on.
Chronic Periodontitis: This is the most common form and describes the inflammation of the supporting gingival tissues of the teeth and bone loss. In chronic periodontitis, deterioration usually occurs slowly.
Systemic Periodontitis: Systemic periodontitis is a development of gum disease due to systemic diseases that include: respiratory disease, diabetes, and heart disease.
Necrotising Periodontal Disease: We can describe this type of gum disease as not your tissues being eaten away by disease but your gums being deprived of the nourishment they need to remain healthy. This disease is usually found in patients suffering from systemic diseases such as malnutrition, immunosuppression, and HIV.

Routine checkups are vital to preventing and identifying gum disease at its early stages. Do not let this disease ruin your smile and health. If you believe you are experiencing some form of gum disease, please contact our office immediately. Our goal at Lytle Family Dentistry is to ensure you have the brightest, healthiest smile!