Bel Air Dentist

Do You Have Gum Disease?

The early signs of gum disease can sometimes be difficult to spot. But, if you notice some odd changes with your mouth, it’s not something you should ignore. Call your dentist in Bel Air, MD for a checkup. Dr. Melissa Elliott of Harford County Dentistry discusses how you can determine if you have gum disease and what to expect from treatment.

The Importance of Dental Checkups

If you haven’t been seeing your dentist regularly, that can make you both more likely to have gum disease and less likely to know. Dental checkups and cleanings can help prevent gum disease. The cleanings you get from our experienced team are more thorough than those with even the best at-home toothbrush.

Gum disease starts with gingivitis. This is a milder form of gum disease that can be easily reversed with dedicated brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings. However, if you let gum disease progress without treatment, it becomes periodontitis. This has serious side effects, like receding gums, bone loss, and losing your teeth.

At your dental checkups, Dr. Elliott will check for signs of gum disease and ensure that it doesn’t progress. She can give you at-home instructions to make sure you’re giving your mouth the care it needs.

In addition, dental checkups include screening for oral cancer. Like with gum disease, it can be difficult to notice the early symptoms on your own. Having a professional examination means an expert is looking for the symptoms and signs that they’re trained to notice.

What are the Warning Signs of Gum Disease?

There are some symptoms that can be warning signs of gum disease. They may not be something that you’d normally notice because there’s usually no pain associated with them. However, it’s time to make an appointment with your Bel Air, Maryland dentist if you notice one or more of these symptoms:

Bleeding gums, particularly when you brush your teeth
Bad breath
Receding gums
A tooth or teeth that seem to be coming loose
Changes in your bite

If you start noticing these symptoms, call our office immediately.

Gum Disease Treatment

Gum disease treatment can vary depending on the severity of your case. If you have a very early form of gingivitis, antibacterial rinses can be effective. They help make sure that bacteria aren’t lingering or settling into any of your gum pockets. This prevents your condition from getting worse.

For more serious cases of gingivitis, we can do a deep-cleaning procedure called scaling and root planing. Special tools are used to remove built-up plaque along your gum line and on your tooth roots. This helps your gum tissue to heal and prevent further bacteria from getting into the tissue.

Once you have periodontitis, a more serious form of treatment is required. Dr. Elliott will have to coordinate with a local specialist for oral surgery. This can include bone grafting, replacing missing teeth, and other procedures.