Gum Disease & Periodontics Specialist

What is gum disease and periodontics?

Gum disease is inflammation and infection of your gums, the soft tissue surrounding and supporting your teeth. It can range in severity from mild to severe and may cause serious complications in some cases.

Examples include a receding gum line, bone loss, and even permanent tooth loss. Periodontics care, which includes gum disease treatment, is the best way to avoid these and other oral health problems.

What are the symptoms of gum disease?

If you have gum disease, you might notice the following signs or symptoms:

• Bright red gums
• Bleeding gums
• Bad breath
• Painful or tender gums
• Pain with chewing
• Puffy gums
• A receding gum line
• Loose permanent teeth
• Pus between your gums and teeth

At the first sign of gum disease, see Dr. Faraj and his team for an evaluation. They offer a variety of gum disease and periodontics treatments that help prevent bone and tooth loss.

What are the risk factors for gum disease?

Excessive bacteria buildup is the main cause of gum disease. It can happen to anybody, but some factors increase your risk of developing it. Examples include poor oral hygiene habits, genetic factors, skipping professional teeth cleanings, hormone changes, and smoking or chewing tobacco. Other risk factors include obesity, poor nutrition, and certain medical issues.

How does my provider diagnose gum disease?

To find out if you have gum disease, Dr. Faraj and his team take dental X-rays, review your symptoms and oral health history, and examine your teeth and gums. They also measure the pocket depth between your teeth and gums to determine how severe gum disease might be.

What are my gum disease and periodontics options?

Based on the complexity of gum disease you have, Dr. Faraj might recommend one of the following periodontics solutions:

Antibiotics

Placing antibiotics on bacteria-infested areas of your gums can eliminate existing bacteria and help prevent future growth. Oral antibiotics are often effective too.

Improved oral hygiene

If you have mild gum disease, improving at-home brushing habits, flossing regularly, and using antibacterial mouthwash might be all that’s needed to reverse your condition.

Deep teeth cleaning

Your Novi Family Dentistry provider can thoroughly clean your teeth using scaling and root planing procedures. They remove plaque and tartar in hard-to-reach areas, including beneath your gum line, using specialized dental tools or a laser.

Surgical procedures

In severe cases of gum disease, Dr. Faraj might recommend advanced procedures to fully restore healthy gums. Examples include soft tissue grafts, bone grafts, guided tissue regeneration, pocket reduction surgery, and tissue-stimulating proteins.

Don’t let gum disease progress to the point of tooth loss. At the first sign of gum problems, schedule a gum disease and periodontics consultation with Novi Family Dentistry by phone or online today.