You May Have Gum Disease
If your gums bleed easily when you brush and floss, you’re experiencing one of the most common symptoms of gum disease. A progressive condition, gum disease is characterized by infection of the gum tissues. When plaque, the sticky film found on your teeth after eating and drinking, is left to harden into tartar, it releases bacteria that irritate the gums. The resulting infection and inflammation are what cause your gums to bleed easily and appear red and swollen. Over time, your gums will recede and pull away from your teeth, creating more space for bacteria and tartar to reside. If you have bleeding gums in Waterford, CT reach out, we can help. It’s critical to your oral health and physical well-being that you seek treatment at the first sign of swollen bleeding gums, especially if you’re also experiencing bad breath, receding gums, and loose or sensitive teeth.
Treatment for Every Stage of Gum Disease
Though only gingivitis can be cured, there are many procedures available that can treat and monitor your gum disease. Both surgical and non-surgical, treatments are designed to provide a healthy oral environment that lowers the chances of infection returning in the future. Our team will determine if you need one or more of the following treatments once you have been evaluated:
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is the only non-surgical treatment option and is often the first line of defense against gum disease. This procedure involves using a dental scaler to remove plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth, both above and below the gumline. Then roughness on the teeth is smoothed with root planing to discourage bacteria from gathering and to help healthy gums reattach to the tooth roots.
Gingivectomy
If gum tissue has been damaged by gum disease, but no infection has yet harmed the bone, a gingivectomy may be needed. During this procedure, infected gum tissue that has pulled away from the teeth is trimmed and removed from around the tooth roots. Once the area is cleared of bacteria and plaque, the healthy gums are sutured back around the teeth. This promotes healthy tissue reattachment and reduction of periodontal pocket depth.
Osseous (Flap) Surgery
When scaling and root planing is not successful at eradicating bacteria and infection, osseous surgery is needed. Also known as pocket reduction, osseous surgery involves folding back the gum tissue so bacteria and tartar can be removed from the deep periodontal pockets around the teeth. Damaged bone can also be reshaped and smoothed before healthy gums are sutured back in place.
Periodontal Maintenance
After gum disease treatment is complete, periodontal maintenance is needed to ensure that infection does not develop in the periodontal pockets again. This treatment is completed every 3-4 months in place of normal hygiene teeth cleanings. During the procedure, the teeth are “deep” cleaned at and below the gumline and periodontal pockets are cleared of bacterial plaque and tartar. Your gums will also be evaluated for their pocket depth and signs of bleeding or more infection.