Do your gums bleed when you brush or floss? Maybe they look red or swollen, or you’ve noticed your breath isn’t as fresh as it used to be. These might seem like small problems, but they’re often the first signs of gum disease.
Gum disease is common, and it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. At Karpovich Dental in Timonium, Dr. Paul Karpovich offers gum disease treatment to patients in Lutherville, Towson, Hunt Valley, and throughout Northern Baltimore County. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Karpovich is known for his gentle, compassionate approach. He welcomes patients who have avoided the dentist and need restorative dentistry care without judgment.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is an infection caused by harmful bacteria in your mouth. Bacteria build up around your teeth and gums when food particles are left behind, especially in hard-to-reach areas. The bacteria feed on these particles and release acids that irritate your gum tissue.
Over time, you may experience bleeding gums, redness, and sensitivity. Without treatment, gum disease can lead to tooth loss and other serious health problems. The good news is that gum disease is treatable, especially when caught early.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Gum disease can begin as gingivitis, marked by irritated, red, swollen, and bleeding gums. When gingivitis becomes periodontitis, it can cause more serious issues such as:
- Gum recession
- Tooth sensitivity
- Bad breath
- Toothaches
- Pus between the teeth or gums
- Tooth loss
Please contact our office if you have noticed signs of gingivitis or periodontitis. Gingivitis can quickly develop and may require more serious and costly procedures. We want our patients to maintain their tooth and gum health to avoid further painful dental problems.
Treating Gum Disease in Timonium
Dr. Karpovich may recommend one or more of these treatments for patients with gingivitis or periodontitis:
Antibacterial Rinses
Patients in the early stages of gum disease benefit from antibacterial rinses. These rinses help stave off harmful bacteria and lessen gum swelling and irritation.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning that removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria from your gums and beneath the gum line. During treatment, our dental hygienists use special tools to clean deep pockets and smooth the tooth roots. This helps your gums reattach to your teeth and prevents tooth loss. You can also repeat these treatments for a deeper clean.
Ongoing Maintenance
Gum disease requires ongoing care to prevent it from returning. We’ll create a personalized periodontal maintenance schedule to keep your gums healthy. This typically includes more frequent cleanings every three to four months instead of twice a year.
Patient Review
Gum Disease Treatment FAQs
Gum disease is a serious condition that can cause problems with both oral and overall health. Learn more about periodontal disease treatment in Timonium, MD, by reading the answers to these frequently asked questions.
Is gum disease treatment painful?
Deep periodontal cleaning causes some discomfort, but shouldn’t cause pain. We use a local anesthetic to numb the area where we’re performing the treatment completely. You may feel some pressure as we clean out the gum pockets that form with periodontal disease.
After treatment, you may experience some soreness for a few days. Over-the-counter pain medications should easily manage any pain.
How long does it take to treat gum disease?
It depends on the stage of gum disease you’re in when we begin treatment. Early to moderate gum disease can clear up in around 2-3 weeks. In more severe cases, it can take at least 5-8 weeks for you to heal properly. Healing can only occur when you’re doing the correct treatment options, like scaling and root planing.
What can I expect after gum disease treatment?
The area will be tender and inflamed for about a week after the treatment. Swelling, discomfort, and bleeding are all normal things to experience. If you have severe pain or bleeding after a week, contact us immediately, as this is not normal. You may want to stick to soft foods and beverages that aren’t acidic when you’re healing.
Why do my gums bleed when I’m pregnant?
Your gums may bleed during pregnancy because of changes in hormone levels. This is called pregnancy gingivitis. The extra hormones can cause your gums to swell and become inflamed, making them easier to bleed. If you notice these problems, continue to brush and floss regularly and contact our office for a cleaning.
How can diet affect gum health?
Eating a healthy diet filled with vitamins and nutrients supports strong, healthy gums. Certain vitamins are essential for gum health. Vitamin C helps keep your gums firm and helps them heal if they become irritated. If you don’t get enough vitamin C, your gums may become swollen and bleed easily.
Calcium is essential for healthy teeth and bone health, which includes the bone that supports your gums. Foods rich in calcium include milk, cheese, and leafy greens. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and keeps your teeth and gums strong.
Do my gums reattach after deep cleaning?
It depends on how far the gums have receded. As long as gums don’t recede severely, they’re still able to reattach. However, your gum tissue doesn’t grow back after recession takes place.
Is periodontal disease treatment worth it?
The overall consensus is yes. Gum disease treatment methods are extremely effective and provide a lot of relief from your gum disease symptoms. It’s essential that you follow aftercare instructions so that the treatment is effective. These include avoiding tobacco products and diligent oral hygiene efforts.
Do I need gum disease treatment?
One of the most common signs of gum disease is bleeding gums. Even early stages of gum disease exhibit this symptom. Tell our office when you notice this happening regularly. Other signs include swollen and inflamed gums, discomfort and pain in the gums, receding gums, bad breath, and tooth sensitivity.
Call Our Timonium Dental Office Today
Combat gum disease with effective periodontal disease treatment in Timonium, MD. We also serve patients in Hunt Valley, Towson, and the surrounding areas. Schedule a dental consultation with Dr. Karpovich online or call our dental office for care today at (410) 221-3085.