If we told you there was a health condition affecting nearly half of Americans over the age of 30, you’d probably be surprised. But that’s exactly what’s happening when it comes to gum health.
At first, gum disease doesn’t seem very serious. In its early stages, it’s called gingivitis. This type of gum disease causes redness and irritation, but it might not bother you much. Left unchecked, though, it can escalate into periodontitis. Eventually, this more serious issue can cause tooth loss.
In other words, if you want to protect your teeth, you need to protect your gums. And we can help you do exactly that. At Advanced Dental Care of East Texas in Jasper, Texas, Eric R. Koch, DDS, and our team offer the care your gums need.
The right treatment for gingivitis depends on how long you’ve had it. In its early stages, you may be able to reverse it. First, you need a thorough professional teeth cleaning to remove gum-irritating plaque and tartar. Then, you need to follow up with consistent at-home oral care (i.e., regular brushing and flossing).
If you visit Dr. Koch twice a year for dental exams, our team can catch any gum problems early. Our goal is to intervene before the gum disease can progress to the point that your gums start to separate from your teeth. That helps you avoid more involved treatment.
If your gingivitis advances into periodontitis, Dr. Koch offers specialized treatments to help reverse your gum problems. That means addressing the pockets that formed as your gums detached from your teeth.
That usually starts with scaling and root planing. During this treatment, Dr. Koch removes plaque that has accumulated under your gum line. He also smooths the tooth root to encourage your gums to reattach your teeth.
He may also recommend antibiotics to address infection in your gums. Those may take the form of:
Ultimately, Dr. Koch has expertise in helping people reverse significant gum disease. Ideally, though, you’ll see us well before you progress to that point. The sooner we can catch gum problems, the easier they are to treat. While scaling and root planing are highly effective, it’s not overly comfortable. If you want to avoid it, get your teeth and gums examined regularly.
To have your gums checked and ensure you’re not dealing with gingivitis or periodontitis, call our office or book your visit online with Dr. Koch.
