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Sherman Oaks Dental

Dr. Bryan Weyneth

1100 N. Sherman Ave., Suite 103
Naperville, IL 60563

Gum Disease Treatment in Naperville

Is Gum Disease Threatening your Smile? Ask your Naperville Dentist for Help!

Gum disease is when the gum tissues become inflamed and often turn red and are tender. Gum disease comes from poor dental hygiene. Gum disease is often called gingivitis and it is one of the most common oral health conditions. Most individuals with gum disease need treatment from a one of the best dentists in Naperville.

How Does Periodontal Disease Differ From Gingivitis?

Gingivitis refers to inflammation of the gums surrounding the teeth. Periodontal disease occurs on the bone below the teeth and the gums become inflamed. Daily brushing is one of the best things to remove plaque and tartar on the teeth. But, to completely remove plaque you should visit Dr. Weyneth, your Naperville family dentist, for a thorough cleaning.

Plaque and tartar is harmful to the teeth and gums, and can only be completely removed by a professional. Early stages of gingivitis can be reversed with proper oral hygiene.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Gum disease occurs when your allow bacteria to continue growing and spreading infection. Failure to brush and floss will cause an infection to occur, leading to gum disease. But, there are other conditions and habits that can cause gum disease including:

Speak with one of the best dentists in Naperville to learn more and get a plan for gum disease treatment.

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Does Gum Disease Cause Bad Breath?

Are there warning signs of gum disease? Does having bad breath mean you likely have a problem with gum disease? Bad breath comes from plaque built up on the tongue. You can control bad breath with dental cleanings and regular brushing and flossing. Consistency in proper dental hygiene will reverse early stages of gum disease and can continue to prevent gum disease. Impacted wisdom teeth, dry mouth, and extractions can all lead to bad breath concerns.

Common Signs & Symptoms of Gum Disease

When an individual has gum disease, there are many signs and symptoms to watch for including:

When gingivitis progresses, it will spread through the gums and can get worse. If allowed to progress, the gums will start to recede from the tooth. This exposes the tooth's root and leads to pain and inflammation. Deep pockets begin forming around the teeth, which trap food and causes plaque. If gingivitis is not treated early it will lead to periodontal disease, which requires expert care to treat. Periodontal disease can cause the gums to become swollen and painful to the point that teeth can fall out. Some people do not notice their periodontal disease has advanced to this point as it usually starts out slow by affecting just a few areas of the mouth before spreading. Most individuals with proper oral hygiene will not have this advanced stage of periodontal disease.

Regular visits to one of the best dentists in Naperville can aid in reducing the risk of gingivitis. Routine cleanings help to clean plaque from around the teeth and below the gum line. Some patients will not see any signs or symptoms initially. This is why it is so essential to visit the dentist at least twice per year for routine cleanings and examinations. During these visits, the dentist will assess your risk level for gingivitis construct a treatment plan that is unique to your situation. Taking the proper steps toward treating gingivitis can help reverse gum disease in an early stage before it gets worse.

How is Gum Disease Diagnosed?

Dental professionals use many tools to aid in identifying the stage of gum disease a person is dealing with. In many cases, it starts during a routine cleaning and examination. Dental hygienists or the dentist will measure the gums. Using a periodontal probe your Naperville family dentist will measure the depths of the pockets around the teeth. Healthy gums are around 1mm-3mm deep. If the measurements are larger, it indicates that area needs to be watched closely and it is possible that gingivitis may be starting.

X-rays can also help Dr. Weyneth see the level of underlying bone and to see if the bone is starting to deteriorate. Patients with sensitive teeth are often those that need treatment for receding gums as sensitive teeth around the gums often indicate a problem.

How Does Dr. Weyneth Treat Gum Disease?

The treatment for gum disease requires professional help. Your Naperville family dentist will discuss risk factors and your health to determine if some of these elements are causing gum disease. He will also discuss proper oral hygiene habits and brushing and flossing your teeth to remove plaque and bacteria.

In-office treatment involves specialized cleanings to remove the plaque and tartar from the teeth. Following this initial procedure, you will be able to reverse gum disease with brushing and flossing. Laser treatments are being used for patients with deep pockets that are difficult to clean. If gum disease has advanced, you will need additional in-office treatments. Advanced stages of gum disease will require more rigorous treatment, such as laser or gum surgery to prevent tooth loss. If your gum disease has progressed to this poing, Dr. Weyneth can refer you to an experienced periodontist that specializes in advanced gum disease treatment.

Home Remedies for Gum Disease Treatment

Always speak to your dentist about the stage of gum disease you are dealing with and follow their at-home treatment instructions. There has been some evidence to show that hydrogen peroxide will aid in killing bacteria when used as a mouthwash. Prescription mouthwashes including hydrogen peroxide are available if needed.

If you are dealing with gum disease, call your dentist in Naperville today to schedule a cleaning and examination. With the right treatment and proper oral hygiene, patients will be able to prevent gum disease before it worsens.