Gum Disease Treatment for Long Island, Manhattan, and Beyond
Gum disease is a common condition that can lead to tooth loss if not controlled. More than half of adults have some form of gum disease, and among adults older than 35, three-fourths are affected by periodontal problems. For gum disease treatment with a gentle touch, visit our practice serving Long Island, Manhattan, and all of New York City - AstoriaFamilyDentist.com. Our dentists, Dr. Gene Caiafa,Jr and Dr. Wayne M. Seid , are experienced in gum disease treatment methods that can prevent the periodontal disease from leading to major problems such as gum recession and bone loss.
What is gum disease?
Periodontal (gum) disease is defined as a bacterial infection of the gums, bones, and ligaments that support the teeth and hold them in the jaw. When gum disease progresses to later stages, the supporting structures of the teeth are destroyed, and tooth loss can result.
Plaque, which begins forming on teeth within as little as four hours after brushing, is the primary factor in gum disease. Plaque contains bacteria that attack gums and release toxins that inflame the soft tissues of the mouth. Plaque that is not removed by brushing and flossing hardens into tartar (calculus), a crusty deposit that can only be removed by a dentist.
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What are the warning signs of gum disease?
Gum disease can be asymptomatic and painless. However, many patients experience symptoms that include:
- Bleeding, tender, swollen, or red gums
- Abscesses (pus oozing from the gums)
- Loose teeth
- Pain
- Foul odor / halitosis
If you experience any of these symptoms, please visit us for an exam. If early-stage gum disease is detected, simple treatment can prevent the condition from progressing.
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What are some of the factors that contribute to gum disease?
A variety of factors can contribute to gum disease. They include:
- Poor diet
- Smoking
- Crowded teeth
- Improper bite alignment
- Hormonal changes
- Poorly fitting dental restorations
- Clenching or grinding of teeth
- Systemic diseases such as diabetes and blood disorders
- Medications, including calcium channel blockers and anticonvulsants
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How is gum disease treated?
Depending on the stage of the disease, gum disease treatment can take various forms. At our practice serving the Long Island and Manhattan areas, we treat early-stage gum disease by educating the patient on proper oral hygiene and plaque removal. Our dentist may also perform scaling and root planing, a technique for cleaning the tooth structure and removing plaque and tartar from the gum pockets. This technique controls the infection and arrests gum recession.
In its more severe stages, periodontal disease causes large gum pockets and some bone destruction. Therefore, this stage of gum disease treatment may involve one or more of the following:
- Surgery to seal the gum tightly around the tooth
- Bone grafting to restore deteriorated bone tissue
- Gum grafts to treat gum recession, as well as soft tissue recontouring to improve the appearance of gums
- Use of night guards to prevent tooth grinding
- Orthodontics
- Medications
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What if gum disease treated?
There are a variety of options for patients who have experienced gum disease-related tooth loss. Astoria Family Dentist specializes in full mouth reconstruction using a variety of restorative dentistry techniques. Cosmetic dentistry techniques such as dental bridges and dental implants can also erase gaps in your smile with natural-looking restorations.
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How can I prevent gum disease?
There are a couple of things that you can do to effectively prevent the development of gum disease:
1. Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene goes a long way in preventing gum disease. Brush and floss thoroughly and regularly, and pay attention to the state of your gums. If they are red, sensitive, bleeding, or swollen, they are probably irritated by plaque building up along the gum line. You should spend some extra time and effort to clear plaque from the gum line.
2. Visit Your Dentist Regularly
It is also imperative to have a dental exam every six months. Professional cleanings remove accumulated plaque and any calculus that has formed. In addition, Dr. Gene Caiafa and Dr. Wayne M. Seid can easily spot gum disease during a dental exam. Early detection is the key to reversing damage to the gums and underlying bone, preventing tooth loss, and avoiding the need for more extensive treatment.
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Gum Disease Treatment at AstoriaFamilyDentist.com
If you have gum disease, effective treatment does exist and can help you prevent tooth and bone loss, as well as unsightly gum recession. Diagnosing gum disease early, and addressing it using simple methods like root planing and scaling, is much simpler and less painful than undergoing later-stage gum disease treatment.
Gum disease treatment at our practice serving the Long Island and Manhattan areas is administered in a peaceful atmosphere by dentists who care about your well-being. For anxious patients, sedation dentistry can free you from feeling anxiety or any discomfort during your treatment. To learn more about gum disease treatment, please contact our cosmetic dentistry practice today .
