Periodontitis, commonly known as gum disease, is an infection caused by harmful bacteria often in the mouth. Bacteria can build up around the teeth and gums when there are leftover food particles, often in areas that are hard to reach. The bacteria feed on these particles and release acids that irritate the gum tissue. Over time, you may experience bleeding gums, redness, and sensitivity, or even changes in the fit of your bite. Due to poor oral hygiene, gum disease is often avoidable with routine dental care.
Dr. Paul Karpovich treats periodontal disease in his Timonium, MD dental office. He helps patients remove gum infections and fight often painful symptoms of periodontitis. Treating gum disease can help restore the health of teeth and gums.
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: Used in tandem, scaling and root planing help remove an infection between teeth and even underneath the gums. During treatment, our dental hygienists use dental tools to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria from the gums. They can reach underneath the gums to smooth the surface of the tooth roots. Scaling and root planing help reattach the gums to the teeth and prevent tooth loss. These treatments can also be repeated for a deeper clean.
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.
Gum Disease Treatment FAQs
Gum disease is a serious condition that can cause problems with both oral and overall health. Learn more about treatment by reading the answers to these frequently asked questions.
Is gum disease treatment painful?
Deep periodontal cleaning causes some discomfort, but shouldn’t cause you any pain. We use a local anesthetic to completely numb the area where we’re performing the treatment. 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. Any pain should easily be managed by over-the-counter pain medications.
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.
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, so it’s important to tell our office the instant 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 treatment in Timonium, Maryland. 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.