Are you experiencing bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, or noticing changes in your smile? These symptoms shouldn’t be dismissed as they can indicate gum disease, a condition needing attention to protect your oral health. Understanding how gum disease progresses and recognizing when professional help, potentially including surgery, is required is vital for maintaining a healthy smile.
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is an infection affecting the tissues and bone supporting your teeth. It often starts as gingivitis, a mild gum inflammation usually reversible with good hygiene and professional cleanings. However, untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis, a more serious stage where the infection damages deeper structures. At this point, gum surgery might be the most effective way to halt disease progression and restore health.
Recognizing the Warning Signs of Advancing Gum Disease
Your body often signals when gum disease is worsening. Seek professional advice if you notice these signs:
- Regular bleeding during brushing or flossing isn’t normal and often indicates gum inflammation needing attention.
- Healthy gums are typically pink and firm. Consistent redness, puffiness, or tenderness signals inflammation or infection.
- Teeth appearing longer than usual can mean gums are receding, exposing sensitive roots is a clear sign of advancing disease.
- Chronic bad breath that doesn’t resolve with good hygiene can stem from bacteria trapped below the gum line due to gum disease.
- This alarming sign often occurs in advanced periodontitis, indicating significant damage to the bone supporting the teeth.
- If your teeth don’t fit together the same way when biting, it might be due to teeth shifting from bone loss.
- Visible pus indicates an active infection requiring immediate dental care.
Why Surgery May Become Necessary
While early gum disease often responds to non-surgical treatments like deep cleanings (scaling and root planing), surgery becomes a consideration when the condition is more advanced. Key reasons include:
- Periodontitis creates spaces (pockets) between teeth and gums. When these pockets deepen (6mm or more), they harbor bacteria and are hard to clean non-surgically.[1] Surgery provides access needed for thorough cleaning.
- Advanced disease destroys the jawbone supporting teeth. Surgery may be needed to halt this loss and sometimes includes procedures to help regenerate lost bone.
- When gums recede significantly, roots become exposed, causing sensitivity and increasing decay risk. Gum grafting surgery is designed to cover these roots.
Understanding Common Gum Surgery Options
Should surgery be recommended, several procedures can effectively treat advanced periodontitis and other periodontal issues. A Rochester periodontist will determine the best option for you, some of the options includes:
- Involves lifting the gums to remove bacteria and tartar from deep pockets and root surfaces. The gums are then repositioned snugly to reduce pocket depth, making home care easier.
- Addresses gum recession by transplanting a small piece of healthy tissue (from your palate or a donor source) to cover exposed roots. This protects the root, reduces sensitivity, and improves aesthetics.
- Used when bone loss is significant. Grafting material is placed in the deficient area to act as a scaffold, encouraging new bone growth to better support teeth or prepare for implants.
- Often performed with bone grafting. A barrier membrane is placed between the gum and bone graft, preventing faster-growing gum tissue from filling the space meant for slower-growing bone regeneration.
- Focuses on enhancing gum aesthetics, such as evening out the gum line or reshaping tissue for a more harmonious smile appearance.
The Importance of a Professional Evaluation
Recognizing symptoms is the first step, but only a qualified periodontist in Rochester can accurately diagnose the stage of gum disease. Through a thorough examination, including measuring pocket depths and assessing bone levels, they can determine the most appropriate and effective treatment plan, whether surgical or non-surgical.
Taking Action for Your Gum Health in Rochester
Ignoring gum disease symptoms can lead to tooth loss and affect overall health. Fortunately, even advanced cases can often be managed successfully with proper treatment. The goal of periodontal therapy, including surgery when needed, is to control the infection, preserve teeth, and restore oral health. If you notice any warning signs, seeking a professional evaluation promptly is crucial.
Experienced periodontists in Rochester offer tailored treatments to manage gum disease effectively. Don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation online or by calling Dental Implants and Periodontal Health of Rochester at 585-685-2005 to understand your condition and take the necessary steps towards a healthier, more stable smile.
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