Gum Treatment in Northern Virginia

What Is Periodontal Gum Disease?

Periodontal gum disease occurs when the gums become inflamed or infected. During the first stage, which is called gingivitis, timely treatment can reverse the effects of the disease, but if left untreated, reversing gum disease may not be possible. Gum disease may be asymptomatic, meaning you can have it for years without being aware of it. Or, it may present as redness, swelling, inflammation, and sensitivity. If you have any of these gingivitis symptoms, contact our Northern Virginia office immediately. 

What’s the Cause of Gingivitis?

Usually, gum disease occurs as a result of inadequate oral hygiene. After you eat and drink, a sticky substance called plaque accumulates on your teeth and gums. Plaque is laden with bacteria that begin to erode your tooth enamel and attack your gum tissues. Eventually, plaque will become a hard substance called tartar that can only be removed by a dentist. Left untreated, your gums will recede from your teeth and you’ll permanently damage your gums and jawbone. The best gingivitis cure is prevention, so make sure you maintain good oral hygiene, including regular dental checkups to ensure you don’t develop gingivitis symptoms.

Are There Gum Disease Symptoms?

You may have some gum disease symptoms, but you may also have gum disease for a long time and experience no gingivitis symptoms. When you begin to develop gingivitis, symptoms you may notice include:

• Swollen, sensitive gums
• An unusual taste in your mouth or bad breath
• Bleeding during brushing and flossing

If you notice any of these symptoms, then call our Northern Virginia office without delay to schedule an examination and a gingivitis cure.

Are There Gum Disease Signs?

During an examination in our Northern Virginia office, your dentist will look for the following signs of gingivitis:

• Swollen gums
• Receding gums
• Loose teeth
• Unusual tooth spacing
• Pus between your gums and teeth
• Areas of inflammation on your gums

If your dentist observes any of these signs of gingivitis, we’ll recommend a gingivitis treatment regimen that will enable you to regain your good oral health. Call us today if you notice any of these signs of gum disease. Don’t delay seeking gingivitis treatment because periodontal disease won’t heal without professional intervention.

Are There Varying Degrees of This Disease?

In its early stages, this disease may present as minor bleeding when you brush or floss or you may experience no signs of gingivitis. Gum disease treatment is most efficacious at this stage. However, if you delay seeking treatment, your condition may worsen to gingivitis or periodontal disease, so call our Northern Virginia office right away for gingivitis treatment if you notice any bleeding or sensitivity in your teeth. The stages of gum disease are as follows:

Gingivitis

When you have the early stages of this disease, you may experience a small amount of bleeding when you brush or floss, but there may be no accompanying pain. The prognosis for a successful gingivitis cure is the best at this stage, so call our Northern Virginia office for an appointment if you’re experiencing these symptoms.

Periodontitis

If your gingivitis isn’t addressed, it may escalate into periodontitis, which is the intermediary stage of this disease. If you have periodontitis, your gums and bone tissues are irreversibly damaged and you’ll begin to trap food and plaque in your gums and tooth spaces. Bacteria will accumulate and hasten the progression of the disease. At this point, only aggressive professional treatment will suffice, so if you’re in this stage, don’t delay in contacting our office for an appointment.

Advanced Periodontitis

This is the final stage of the disease and by this time, the tissues that support your teeth are destroyed as is your jawbone. At this point, you may be able to restore functionality with the aid of reconstructive dentistry, but all of your teeth may shift or fall out and your jaw and facial structure will have suffered irreversible and permanent damage. The best method for curing this disease at any stage is to prevent it from occurring, so call our Northern Virginia office today to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists for gum disease in Northern Virginia.

Is There a Gingivitis Cure?

The best cure for gingivitis is prevention, which is accomplished by a regimen of good oral hygiene. Good brushing and flossing habits that include an antibacterial mouthwash and regular dental checkups will prevent gingivitis from developing into periodontal disease. If it’s been a while since you’ve had a dental checkup, then call our Northern Virginia office today and we can help you.

What’s the Treatment for Advanced Periodontitis?

When your conservative treatments for gingivitis are insufficient, then your dentist will recommend a more aggressive treatment regimen that may include professional scaling and root planing as well as antibiotics and antibacterial mouth rinses. You may also be referred to a gum disease expert, called a periodontist, for additional treatment. If you have an extreme case, then surgery may be necessary. However, prevention is the best treatment, so call us today to schedule an appointment before your disease worsens.

Is Reversing Gum Disease an Option?

Although you may be able to reverse the early stages of this disease on your own, the best gum disease cure is good oral hygiene habits and regular dental checkups. Our dentists can help you establish the best routine of oral hygiene for your unique needs and help you win the fight against gum disease before it gets started. Don’t ignore the signs and symptoms of early gum disease. Call us today at or book an appointment online. We look forward to speaking with you and working with you to maintain your good oral health.