photograph of older couple smiling at each other in their homeMillions of Americans suffer from gum disease. The problem is, the condition doesn’t always cause a lot of pain or discomfort; it can be difficult to know there is an issue. However, there are other tell-tale signs of periodontal disease. If you notice any symptoms emerging, visiting your Lone Tree dentist early can save you a tremendous amount of time, worry, and money. At Metropolitan Dental Care, we are equipped to treat all stages of gum disease. However, we prefer to prevent it from becoming problematic in the first place. In fact, if detected early enough, the condition can be effectively treated, and in some cases, even reversed. If you have gum disease in Lone Tree, we can help. Today, we will explain why identifying and treating the condition early is ideal for your schedule and your wallet.

How Gum Disease Progresses

Gum disease begins as gingivitis, which is characterized by red, puffy, tender tissue. You may experience slight bleeding when you brush and floss, as well. If gingivitis is left untreated, the bacteria found in the plaque deposits on the teeth begin to seep into the gums. This has a negative impact on the bone that surrounds the teeth and can create deep pockets around the roots. This infection can wreak havoc on your oral health, leading to pus around the gums, further bone loss, and bad breath. If this condition goes on untreated, it will worsen. The periodontal pockets will become even deeper, and the teeth may become mobile. When advanced periodontitis is present, tooth loss is likely.

Treatment for Gingivitis

Believe it or not, the most effective treatment for gingivitis is a simple dental cleaning and improved oral hygiene at home. In this early stage, the infection has not reached below the gums yet. Therefore, the bacteria can be eliminated by removing the plaque deposits and biofilm from the teeth. If you notice early symptoms of gum disease, schedule an appointment right away. Early treatment can prevent gingivitis from progressing to periodontitis.

Treatment for Periodontitis

If gingivitis does progress into periodontitis, all hope is not lost. In fact, there is an incredibly effective treatment called scaling and root planing that helps eliminate bacteria under the gums. Also known as a deep cleaning, this treatment requires local anesthesia, as it is a bit more invasive than a routine hygiene visit. Because there is more involved in this procedure, scaling and root planing is costlier than a regular dental cleaning.

Treatment for Advanced Periodontitis

Not all dental practices have a periodontist on staff. At Metropolitan Dental Care, we are quite fortunate to have Dr. Mike Nourozinia on our team. Board-certified, he can provide a variety of periodontal treatments, from tissue grafting to gum contouring. If you have advanced gum disease in Lone Tree, Dr. Nourozinia can perform gum surgery. This treatment involves making incisions in the gums and moving them back to access the infection around the teeth. Once the infection is removed, the gums are repositioned. While this treatment is certainly effectual for those with advanced periodontitis, it is also much more invasive than scaling and root planing.

Early Detection is Key

As you can see, treating gingivitis is exponentially less invasive than treating advanced periodontal disease. In fact, gingivitis treatment requires no surgery and no anesthesia whatsoever. Therefore, if you notice that your gums are bleeding, red, or puffy, don’t wait to schedule an appointment. By seeking the treatment you need now, you can avoid significant procedures later on.

Contact Us to Learn More

Metropolitan Dental Care is proud to offer high-quality dental services to Denver, Lone Tree, Parker, Highlands Ranch, and Centennial. If you have gum disease in Lone Tree, call us today at 303-534-2626 or contact us online.