Gum Disease
Are You On the Path to Gum Disease? From Plaque to Tartar to Gum Disease
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is a buildup of bacteria and inflammation of the gums. Unfortunately, it is a silent disease and most people don't realize they have it until after significant damage has already occurred. It takes a trained dentist to identify gum disease in its early stage, called gingivitis, and stop it before it advances to periodontitis, which can damage the gum tissue and lead to tooth loss. Here is how gum disease develops:
Plaque
Gingivitis starts as the pale yellow plaque that collects on teeth. Fortunately, with regular oral hygiene, you can remove plaque at home with simple brushing and flossing. However, if you skip a day or don't clean each tooth carefully, plaque quickly builds up and gingivitis can develop.
Tartar
If plaque is not removed, it hardens into tartar, where bacteria thrives and attacks the protective enamel on your teeth. The more plaque that forms, the more tartar develops. Unfortunately, daily oral hygiene won't help at this stage. You need professional help to remove tartar.
Gum Disease
If the plaque and tartar are not removed, it eventually causes inflammation around the teeth. Once the bacteria collect below the gum line, it can progress to attacking the bone and ligaments surrounding the teeth and introducing an advanced phase of gum disease called periodontitis.
Is This an Emergency?
While gum disease typically progresses slowly, if you don't take action, you may need to seek emergency dental care. Common situations that could be caused by gum disease include root canal infections, a loose tooth, a dental abscess, or a swollen jaw. If you have a dental emergency, Fairfax Family Dental Care offers round-the-clock emergency care.
Warning Signs of Gum Disease
The early stage of periodontal disease is called gingivitis, and it occurs when plaque and tartar build up on your teeth, causing inflammation in the gums. If it goes untreated, you will develop periodontitis, which can take a serious toll on your teeth and gums. Symptoms of each stage include:
Gingivitis
- Swollen gums
- Discolored gums
- Tender gums
- Bad breath
- Bleeding gums
- Gum recession
Periodontitis
- Pain while chewing
- Advanced gum recession
- Severe bad breath
- A foul taste in the mouth
- Loose teeth
- Tooth loss
Do You Suspect Gum Disease? Request a Consultation
If you have bleeding gums or other symptoms and suspect you have periodontal disease, we recommend requesting a consultation with one of our dentists at Fairfax Family Dental Care. While regular brushing can remove plaque and prevent gum disease, it takes professional techniques to remove tartar, treat advanced gum disease, and restore your oral health. The earlier you seek treatment, the more likely the effects of gum disease can be reversed.
Drs. Charles Kirksey, Milan Simanek, and Touraj Kamali at our Fairfax dental office have advanced training in specialized areas of dentistry. This multidisciplinary approach allows us to treat even complex dental cases all under one roof. By using advanced technology, we are able to identify oral health problems before they escalate.
In addition to scaling and root planing to help eradicate gum disease, our dentists also have advanced restorative dentistry and periodontal skills to rebuild your smile if gum disease has caused serious damage to the teeth or gums. Protecting your smile by reaching out to us today.
Call Us: (703) 385-0303
Outstanding Service and Stellar Patient Outcomes "I can smile and laugh freely."
Catherine L Mommsen
Fairfax, VA
2023
I’ve had severe dental and periodontal issues my entire adult life and have ample experience with providers to provide a fair opinion. Dr. Kamali and Cindy keep me coming back here. Both are exceptional professionals, mindful and simply the best at what they do; Dr. Kamali is conservative in treatment, straightforward with information and always has sound solutions. I trusted him with a full mouth restoration and have never been as happy with an outcome as I am this one. I can smile and laugh freely.
View on GoogleJason Nunez
Fairfax, VA
2023
As someone new to the area, I've found that the dentist location at Fairfax Family Dental Care has been a fantastic fit for me and my dental needs. The staff's efficiency and ease of assistance have made my visits smooth and convenient. The kindness and careful approach of the staff, particularly the ladies, in handling my oral care have been truly impressive. I have nothing but positive experiences with Fairfax Family Dental Care and am grateful for their exceptional service.
View on GoogleHow We Treat Gum Disease
The type of treatment we prescribe will depend on the severity of the condition. Treating the early stages of gum disease can improve your oral health almost immediately. It can also reverse the effects of gum disease and make it easier to manage.
Mild
Mild cases of periodontal disease can typically be corrected with routine checkups with a dentist. These will need to be paired with a good at-home oral care routine, including daily flossing and twice-daily brushing.
Moderate
For mild to moderate cases of gingivitis, your periodontal care may require a deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing. This procedure removes plaque and tartar that has built up on the teeth, reduces periodontal pockets, and helps the gums reattach to the teeth. In addition to scaling and root planing, our dentists may recommend the use of antiseptic rinses and prescribe antibiotics to get the inflammation under control.
Severe
Advanced periodontitis may require surgical intervention like gum grafts and bone grafts or restorative procedures like dental implants to completely restore your oral health and function.
Treating Advanced Periodontal Diseases
Treatment for advanced cases of periodontitis will depend on how far the disease has progressed. If gum disease has caused gum or bone recession, or if you have lost a tooth, Fairfax Family Dental Care can address these issues as well using advanced treatment:
We've Kept Patients Happy for Decades "I could not be happier with their service."
Gayle Jacques
Fairfax, VA
2023
My husband’s family has been going here for 35+ years and our kids have only known Fairfax Family Dental Care. They take really good care of their patients and very knowledgeable.
View on GoogleFrank Wilson
Fairfax, VA
2023
Fairfax Family Dental Care has taken excellent care of me for nearly 20 years and I could not be happier with their service. They changed my life with some complicated issues early on and continue the awesomeness year after year. Dr. Kamali and Cindy are like family!
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