Periodontal Treatment - JLM Dental Studios

Reclaim the Smile You Deserve

Your smile and dental health can directly impact your happiness, confidence, and quality of life. Yet gum disease threatens the health and radiance of your smile. From causing bleeding gums, to (in extreme cases) serious infections, gum disease can wreak havoc on your health. If you have any problematic symptoms, Dr. Jarrett Manning and the compassionate team at JLM Dental Studio in Smyrna and East Point, GA welcome you for a personalized consultation. Call JLM Dental Studio today to schedule your consultation to map a custom path back to oral wellness joy.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, occurs when plaque builds up on teeth. The bacteria cause inflammation and infection of the gums and other structures supporting the teeth. Mild cases are known as gingivitis. More serious cases where tissues and bone are damaged are called periodontitis.

Importance of Treating Gum Disease

It’s crucial not to ignore symptoms of gum disease, as it is linked to other inflammatory conditions like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Treating gum disease can prevent extensive damage to tissues and bone loss, which would require complex treatments to repair. Early intervention with professional cleanings and improved oral care helps reverse the damage and prevent its spread.

Causes & Symptoms of Gum Disease

Causes of Gum Disease

Gum disease doesn’t happen overnight. Numerous factors contribute to its development, including:

Poor Oral Hygiene– Not properly brushing and flossing allows plaque to build up along and under the gumline, leading to inflammation and possible infection.
Smoking– Smoking increases gum disease risk as chemicals in tobacco can damage tissues. Smokers are up to six times more likely to develop gum disease.
Medical Conditions– Systemic diseases like diabetes make gum tissues vulnerable to bacteria. Proper disease management is key.

Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease

Be on the lookout for any of these common symptoms:

Red, Swollen, or Tender Gums– Inflamed gums may start as localized soreness when brushing or flossing. As bacteria spread, entire areas can become painful.
Gums That Bleed Easily– During brushing, flossing, or eating, healthy gums shouldn’t bleed. Bleeding indicates inflammation requiring prompt dental attention.
Bad Breath– Persistent bad breath can come from gum disease bacteria accumulated under inflamed gum tissues.
Loose or Separating Teeth– With mild gum disease, teeth can become loose. More advanced disease damages tissues and bone holding teeth in place.

Types of Gum Disease

There are two main classifications of gum disease. They include:

Gingivitis: Gingivitis is the earliest and mildest stage. At this stage, gums redden, swell, and bleed easily. Professional treatment can often reverse gingivitis.
Periodontitis: Periodontitis is the advanced stage of gum disease, during this stage, the infection spreads, inflaming tissues and destroying supporting bone. Teeth can loosen or be lost. Surgery may be required to save the remaining teeth.

Treatment Options

Dr. Manning will determine the best treatment approach based on each patient’s unique case. Options for gum disease treatment may include:

Professional Dental Cleaning: For mild cases, a standard or deeper cleaning removes plaque/tartar below the gumline.

Topical Antimicrobials: Following cleaning, gels, rinses, or controlled-release devices help control bacteria.

Non-Surgical Procedures: Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning to smooth roots and cure early-stage gum disease.

Surgical Procedures: For advanced disease, surgery allows your dentist to access the roots for deeper planing and bone damage repair. Gum grafts or tissue regeneration may help regrow lost tissue.

Replacement Tooth Options

Dr. Manning can also offer various tooth replacement solutions if teeth can’t be saved. Tooth replacement options may include dental implants, bridges, partials, or dentures.

Prevention

Protect your smile by:

Brushing and Flossing: Thorough daily oral care keeps plaque in check.
Regular Dental Visits: Professional cleanings and exams detect early gum disease.
Quit Smoking: Kicking the habit significantly reduces gum disease risks.
Watch for Signs of Diabetes: Well-managed blood sugar helps keep gums inflammation-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, hormonal shifts during pregnancy can make some women more prone to developing gingivitis. This inflammation results from plaque buildup around the gumline that goes unchecked due to physical difficulty accessing the mouth and physical and lifestyle changes affecting oral hygiene habits during pregnancy. Be sure to maintain a regular daily tooth brushing and flossing routine and professional dental cleanings to minimize gum disease risks throughout pregnancy.

As gum disease progresses into more serious forms like periodontitis, the bacterial infection spreads below the gum line to damage the tissues and jawbone structure holding teeth firmly in their sockets.

This irreversible destruction leads to increased tooth mobility. At this stage, specialized treatment is required to halt further disease progression and help stabilize teeth. Prompt treatment should be implemented to prevent tooth loss.

Yes, poor oral hygiene habits in children or adolescents can lead to plaque buildup, especially below the gumline of primary and permanent teeth. This bacterial accumulation often triggers localized or generalized inflammation manifesting as red, puffy, swollen, or bleeding gums indicating gum disease. Do not assume gum infections only occur in adults – these symptoms require professional dental attention and improved preventive home care even in young patients.

Like other chronic inflammatory diseases, genetics likely play a role in gum disease development. Passing down thinner gum tissues or overactive immune responses contributes to the formation of bacteria that cause gingivitis. Forming good daily habits can help overcome genetic risk factors.

Gum Disease Treatmentin Smyrna and East Point, GA