922 Waltham St #202 Lexington, MA 02421
Gum disease is an insidious menace that may seem negligible when it first appears but will develop into a serious infection that causes permanent damage if left untreated. Thankfully, gum disease treatment from the skilled team at Lexington Smile Studio can be a great way to eliminate infectious material from your smile and prevent further health problems like tooth loss and dangerous conditions like sepsis. Here’s a quick look at what gum disease is, the issues it can cause, and how we can address it with effective oral health procedures.
Gum disease is an incredibly common oral health issue in the United States and around the world. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that about half of American adults have some form of gum disease and that about 70% of seniors have serious cases of it.
Gum disease is caused by a bacterial infection of inflamed gum tissue, and it can erode the soft tissues and jawbone structures that support teeth. The problem always starts out as mild inflammation called gingivitis, and it can usually be reversed at this stage with improved oral hygiene habits. However, untreated gingivitis will eventually become periodontitis which causes permanent damage and must be managed with regular dental treatments.
Gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, can show itself through symptoms like:
Periodontitis, on the other hand, can cause issues like:
Our dentist will have to thoroughly evaluate your oral health before determining the best way to address any infections. Our team will be happy to help you understand how we can preserve your oral health when we see you in our office, and we may recommend scaling and root planing in cases of gum disease.
This treatment is a two-part process that typically takes at least two appointments. The procedure typically goes like this:
