Treatment for Gum Disease In Lynnwood, WA

We are Located in Lynnwood, Also Providing Gum Treatment Services for Everett, Marysville, Redmond, Shoreline, Bothell, Edmonds, And All Neighboring Communities.

Periodontal Disease

Brushing and flossing twice a day is extremely important to your overall oral health. As is visiting your dentist every six months for cleanings and checkups. If you fall behind on these steps, though, you may find yourself in need of gum treatment. A lack of proper at-home care and/or skipping visits to the dentist can lead to an accumulation of plaque, tartar, and debris that can, in turn, lead to gum disease and other oral health conditions.

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Two Stages of Gum Disease

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the first phase of gum disease that is caused by poor dental hygiene. If you notice that the gums around your teeth are swollen, red, tender, sometimes even receding, or bleed easily, you may be at risk of gingivitis. Gingivitis is often left unnoticed by patients but is easily recognized by dental professionals. One clue that you might have gingivitis is that your gums bleed easily upon brushing and flossing. If your gums bleed on their own, you should schedule an appointment to see your dentist right away to ensure optimal oral health.

There is good news, however. If your dentist does indicate to you that you have gingivitis, do not worry. You will not lose your teeth right away! Gingivitis is 100% reversible. Your dentist will probably spend a little extra time cleaning your teeth and may recommend modification of your home care regimen to ensure the gingivitis does not return. The initial cleaning in the presence of gingivitis can be uncomfortable, but it is important to understand that it is necessary to bring your gums back into health. If the patient is able to maintain good home care and can minimize the return of gingivitis, the next cleaning is markedly more comfortable.

More information on Gum Disease Signs and Symptoms >

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is the second type of gum disease. Unlike gingivitis, periodontitis is permanent and irreversible. Much like gingivitis, periodontal disease will present with red, tender, and bleeding gums. This phase of gum disease is associated with bone loss and is a risk factor for tooth loss. Periodontal disease also puts the patient at risk of lung and heart disease. Periodontitis can also lead to a painful gum abscess that needs immediate attention.

In all cases, both phases of gum disease are preventable through the practice of good oral hygiene. Visits to your local dentist, recommended every 6 months, are crucial to prevent or manage gum disease, cavities, infections, etc. The bacteria that live in our mouths produce plaque. Plaque sticks to all areas of your teeth, mainly in the bases and corners of your teeth, where your toothbrush may not reach. This is where flossing is important, to remove the plaque between your teeth and below the gumline.

If plaque is not removed, over time, it will harden to create a substance called tartar. The only way to rid your teeth of tartar is by visiting the dental hygienist, who has special tools and equipment to clean below the gumline where plaque and tartar are often missed. When plaque is left uncleaned, it can travel underneath the bases of your teeth, below your gum line. When this happens, it becomes harder to clean, and your gums will become inflamed from the bacteria, causing them to feel tender, turn red in color, and bleed. When plaque or tartar sits below your gums for too long, it will cause your gums to detach from your teeth, creating a pocket of empty space, which bacteria can build into. This is when your risk of tooth loss due to bone loss increases.

If you have gingivitis, do not panic. This gum condition can be reversed and treated with a good cleaning and improved oral hygiene afterward. If your dental professional says you have periodontitis, it’s a more advanced form of gum disease associated with permanent bone loss. The bacteria and plaque then reach below your gum line into those deeper pockets causing further risk of bone loss and worsening of the disease. For this reason, it is important to visit your dentist and try to catch and manage your disease at an early stage of periodontitis.

Call our Office at (425) 742-9609 Today!

Gum Treatment Options

Gum treatments can vary depending on the severity of the disease. In many cases, treatments are non-surgical and can be stabilized with a deep clean and consistently good oral hygiene. During your dental cleaning, the professional will remove any surface plaque and scrape off tartar buildup below the gumline. This procedure usually takes two visits and is formally called scaling and root planning, or “deep clean.” Your dentist will likely be walking you through the process and giving you tips on how to continue good oral health after your appointments. When tartar is removed, the gums that started to detach from your teeth will likely reattach to the cleaned tooth. Any of these procedures can be done under local anesthesia to ensure your complete comfort.

If you need a drastic gum treatment that includes surgery, you may be a candidate for tissue regeneration, pocket surgery, bone and tissue grafts, and even jawbone surgery. Although this doesn’t sound like fun and is less common, it is needed to ensure no further damage is done to your gums and teeth. Your general health and well-being can be directly affected by your oral health, so don’t let gum disease ruin your health.

To avoid gingivitis, make sure you are brushing, flossing, and rinsing twice a day, every day. You’ll also want to visit your dentist every six months for a cleaning and checkup. During your checkup, your dentist will check for signs of gum disease. If found, a treatment plan can be put in place to address the issue. Catching gum disease in its early stages will allow for the reversal of periodontal disease and prevent it from advancing. If your gum disease has advanced, immediate treatment should be considered.

Meadowdale Dental Clinic, conveniently located in Lynnwood, also provides gum treatment solutions to Everett, Marysville, Redmond, Shoreline, Bothell, Edmonds, and all neighboring communities.