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 mild form of gum disease. Your dentist can easily treat it and reverse with strict oral health care habits and routine teeth cleanings. Periodontitis is more serious. It can cause receding gums, bone loss and even tooth loss.
Many factors can lead to gum disease. These include smoking or chewing tobacco, certain medications, 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. Comeau screens for oral cancer at preventive care visits!
Dr. Comeau performs an oral cancer screening as part of routine care at Harford County Dentistry. Have you been screened?
Screening for this growing disease is important. When caught early, patients can improve their survival rate. Knowing 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 care will support long term oral health and will help maintain your physical health and well being. We want create a long term relationship with patients as a partner in their health care.
Gum Disease Treatment
Depending on your symptoms, Harford County Dentistry offers several gum disease treatment options. If you have early signs of gum disease you may benefit from a deep teeth cleaning known as scaling and root planing. During this treatment, 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.
Gum Disease FAQs
Does periodontal therapy hurt?
Treatment for gum disease does 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 gum disease treatment 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.
Schedule Your Next Dentist Visit Today
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.
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