Inflamed gums can be painful, often make chewing difficult, and can be a symptom of a much larger problem. They can also leave you wondering if you need to see a gum specialist in Rochester, NY, to address the issue.
If you are experiencing inflammation in your gums, it’s time to schedule an appointment with a trusted periodontist. They will be able to identify the cause of your inflammation, treat your gums, and get you looking and feeling your best again.
What Does it Mean When Your Gums are Inflamed?
Inflamed gums are typically red and puffy and will bleed when you brush or floss. This is the first stage of gum disease, known as gingivitis. If it progresses into advanced-stage gum disease or periodontitis, it can erode the bones surrounding your teeth, cause gum recession, and lead to tooth loss.[1]
The main cause of inflammation in the gums is poor oral hygiene or a lack of routine cleanings. Plaque builds up on the surface of your teeth and eventually becomes tartar, which cannot be removed by anyone other than a dentist or periodontist. Once you develop tartar from improper or infrequent brushing, harmful bacteria can find their way into your gum line.
Other common risk factors for inflamed gums are:[2]
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Smoking or other tobacco use
- Genetics
- Hormonal changes
- Lack of Vitamin C
- Certain medication
- Certain systemic diseases
Is Gum Inflammation an Emergency?
The good news is that gum inflammation is rarely an emergency. However, you should address the root cause of this inflammation before it becomes a more serious problem. There are many options for periodontal treatment – from nonsurgical to surgical treatment options – that can suit your needs and budget.
What Happens if You Let Gum Inflammation Go Untreated?
Inflamed gums are a symptom of a larger problem: gingivitis. And if left untreated, it can develop into advanced-stage periodontal disease. In that case, a general dentist is not sufficient to address significant problems like tooth loss or receding gums. Once gum disease progresses past gingivitis, you will need to see a periodontist, and you will continue to see a periodontist for your regular dental cleanings and checkups.
What Kind of Gum Treatments May Be Necessary?
There is a variety of treatment options for inflamed gum, but the route your periodontist may recommend will depend entirely on the extent of your symptoms and the presence of any related preexisting medical conditions.
Nonsurgical Treatment for Periodontitis
The most common procedure for periodontitis is teeth scaling and root planing. This is a deep and specialized dental cleaning performed by a professional periodontal hygienist. They will employ tools uniquely designed to scrape away bacteria from your tooth’s roots and gum tissue.
In certain cases, antibiotics are also indicated in the treatment.
Surgical Treatment for Periodontitis
There are a few different surgical treatment options depending on the severity of your inflammation:
Pocket Depth Reduction
If your inflamed gums have developed from gingivitis to periodontal disease, you are at an increased risk for tooth and bone loss. A pocket depth reduction is a surgery that removes diseased gum and prevents pockets from forming in your gum line, which leads to tooth and bone loss.[3] The procedure involves moving your gums away from your teeth, cleaning the pocket, adjusting the bone, and reattaching your gums.
Regeneration
During the procedure, your periodontist will use bone grafts and guided tissue regeneration techniques to regenerate the supporting bone around your teeth.
Gum Grafts
When your gums become inflamed, they can also recede. To fix this, you can undergo surgery to place a graft of tissue taken from the roof of your mouth around your teeth. This improves the appearance and can also reduce your risk for further recession.
Who Treats Gum Diseases?
Periodontists are board-certified specialists who specialize in the treatment of gum disease and the placement of dental implants. Most patients with gum disease will be better served at the periodontist’s office. If you are unsure what you need, a thorough periodontal exam by a periodontist will be a good starting place to assess your gum health.
Schedule an Appointment with a Gum Specialist in Rochester, NY
If inflamed gums are a problem for you, come see us at Dental Implants & Periodontal Health of Rochester. We specialize in gum treatment services and always provide the highest quality care to our patients. Schedule an appointment with us today! Call us at 585-685-2005.
Sources:
[1] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16620-periodontitis
[2] https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/gum-disease
[3] https://dentalimplantsroc.com/rochester-gum-surgery/
