Gum Disease Fallston MD | Gingivitis

Periodontal TherapyAn Overview

As a family dentist in Fallston, one of our primary goals is to treat and prevent gum disease. Our Bel Air area dentist office has a strong dental hygiene department with excellent dental hygienists who can provide you with anything from a gentle routine cleaning to effective treatment of periodontal disease.

Gum disease has two main stages: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the milder form of gum disease and can be easily treated are reversed through regular flossing and routine professional teeth cleaning. Periodontitis is a more serious condition that causes receding gums, bone loss and ultimately tooth loss.

Factors that contribute to periodontal disease include smoking or chewing tobacco, certain medications, defective fillings, crooked teeth, systemic disease, improper home care, and irregular dental cleanings.

Symptoms Of Gum Disease

Because gum disease is usually not painful, most patients may not know they have it until it is too late. Biannual dental check-ups can help detect gum disease early for conservative treatment. Warning signs of gum disease are:

Bleeding gums
Receding gums
Bad breath
Loose teeth
Changes in the bite including fit of dentures

Dr. Elliott screens for oral cancer at preventive care visits!

Dr. Elliott performs an oral cancer screening as part of routine preventive care at Harford County Dentistry. Have you been screened?

Screening for this growing disease is important- if caught early on patients have a dramatically improved survival rate. Understanding the common signs and symptoms of oral cancer is also important for early detection:

Persistent hoarseness
Pain or difficulty swallowing
Lump in the throat or neck
Persistent earache- often in both ears
Numbness in or around the mouth
Lesion or sore that does not go away

Routine preventive care can not only help to support long term oral health, but is an important part of maintaining overall physical health and well being. We seek to create and maintain a long term relationship with patients as a partner in their health care.

Take the time to schedule a visit with Dr. Elliott as part of a commitment to a healthier lifestyle!

Periodontal Therapy What to Expect

Gum Disease Treatment

Depending on your gum disease symptoms, Harford County Dentistry offers several gum disease treatment options. If you have early signs of gum disease you may benefit from intensive teeth cleaning known as scaling and root planing. During this procedure, the dental hygienist will remove plaque and tartar from the deep pockets of the gum.

For patients with missing teeth as a result of gum disease, there are a number of replacement options including dental implants, dental bridges, and dentures.

Schedule Your Next Dentist Visit

If you have sore gums or bleeding gums, contact our Fallston dentist office. We also offer treatment for patients with gum disease in Bel Air, MD and surrounding areas. We gladly welcome new patients. Call 410-994-2627 for an appointment and more information, or request an appointment online.

Periodontal Therapy FAQs

Does periodontal therapy hurt?: No. Periodontal therapy treatments do not hurt. You can imagine them as a deep cleaning massage for your gums. Treatment only targets dead and infected tissue, so your gum pain goes away almost immediately after treatment.
Is periodontal therapy covered by insurance?: Periodontal therapy can be covered by insurance because it is a necessary treatment for good oral health. Although, insurance companies are different and have the final decision if they will cover treatment or not. Contact your dental insurance provider for details and ask them to cover your costs.
Will my receding gums ever grow back?: No. Gums that recede due to periodontal disease do not grow back on their own. There is however treatment for receding gums called gum grafting, or gum rejuvenation. Ask your dentist about these procedures for receding gums.