Gum Disease in Grapevine

Are Gum Disease and Periodontal Disease the Same?

Gum disease is the more common name but both are caused by inflammation in the gum tissues that secure your teeth in your jaw. The first stage of this disease is called gingivitis, and it is curable. However, once your gingivitis progresses to the next stage, it's no longer curable, and you'll incur permanent damage to your gums at this point.

The dentists in our Grapevine office use aggressive treatments to heal gum disease so that our patients can restore their good oral health and save their teeth and gums. If you have questions or need to schedule a gingivitis treatment, call our Grapevine office, and we'll be happy to help.

What Are the Causes of Gingivitis?

Gum disease at any stage is primarily caused by poor oral hygiene habits. You should brush and floss at least twice daily and use an antibacterial mouthwash at least once daily.

When you don't practice good oral hygiene, a sticky substance called plaque will build up on your teeth. It's laden with bacteria, and if not removed, it will become tartar, which can only be removed by a dentist. Plaque irritates your gums, causes inflammation, and can lead to cavities and other dental issues. When you reach this point, you may have already developed gingivitis. Luckily, your dentist can administer a gingivitis cure that will restore your dental health.

If you don't get a gingivitis cure, your gums will begin to pull away from your teeth, and periodontal disease will develop. Although you may ignore your gum disease symptoms up to this point, you should immediately make an appointment with your dentist to prevent your disease from progressing to a more serious, incurable stage.

Periodontal disease is the primary cause of tooth loss in Americans over 35. Since gingivitis may be present asymptomatically, you may have no gingivitis symptoms. However, that doesn't mean the disease isn't present. Unfortunately, if you do not catch gingivitis in time, you may progress to a more advanced state of gum disease in Grapevine. At this point, the disease is no longer curable and reversing gum disease is no longer an option. You'll have incurred permanent damage to your teeth and gums. Be proactive and schedule at least annual visits to your dentist because they can notice signs of gingivitis before you can.

What Are Common Gum Disease Symptoms?

Gingivitis can be asymptomatically present for some time. However, if you begin to develop the following gingivitis symptoms, you should make an appointment for gingivitis treatment with your dentist:

• Chronic bad breath
• An odd taste in your mouth
• Bleeding when brushing or flossing
• Red, sensitive, or swollen gums

Any or all of the above gingivitis symptoms can signal that you're in the first stage of this disease, so obtaining prompt treatment can keep your gum disease from advancing.

What Are the Signs of Gum Disease?

In addition to the above, the following signs of gingivitis can signal that you need to consult with a dentist about a gum disease cure:

• Receding gums
• Loose teeth
• Uneven gaps between your teeth
• Pockets of inflammation
• Pus between your gums and teeth
• Swollen gums

These signs of gingivitis may indicate that you are no longer in the first stage of gum disease – gingivitis – but have gone to a more serious stage. If you notice any of these gum disease signs, don't delay making an appointment with your Grapevine dentist to obtain a gum disease treatment.

What Are the Stages of Gum Disease?

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and the only stage at which it can be cured. If you make a dental appointment during this stage, we can provide a gingivitis cure so that you keep your good oral health and don't progress to a more severe stage.

Periodontitis is the next stage of the disease, and at this point, our dentists can only halt the progression of the disease. Any damage done can't be reversed. At this stage, the bone in your jaw and the tissues that secure your teeth have been permanently damaged, and there's no reversing the gum disease at this point.

Advanced periodontitis is the final stage of this disease and at this point, you'll have destroyed the gum tissues that secure your teeth, and your jawbone will be severely damaged. Reconstructive dentistry is your only option to repair the damage at this point. Reversing gum disease while it's still in the gingivitis stage is the best option so that you don't reach this point. No gingivitis treatment will help you once you've reached the advanced periodontitis stage.

What Is the Best Gingivitis Cure?

Prevention is the best way to cure gingivitis, however, you may have gum disease in Grapevine and be unaware of it. The easiest way to prevent and cure gingivitis is to maintain good oral hygiene. Brush and floss at least twice daily, use an antibacterial mouthwash at least daily, and have at least an annual checkup and cleaning with your dentist. Call our Grapevine office if you need to schedule an appointment.

What's the Best Treatment for Gingivitis and Advanced Periodontitis?

If conservative treatments are ineffective against your disease, your dentist may recommend more aggressive treatments, such as root planing or professional scaling, in addition to antibacterial rinses. You may also be referred to a specialist for the best results, and occasionally, surgery may be needed.

Prevention is always better than treatment, so make sure to maintain good oral hygiene that includes at least an annual appointment with your dentist.

How Can You Reverse Gum Disease?

Only in the first stage can this disease be reversed. When you reach the more advanced stages, it can be treated, but the damage is permanent. Prevention is the best way to preclude its onset, so call our Grapevine office to schedule an exam and cleaning.