Gum Disease (Periodontitis) Treatment in Lewiston ME

While many people are familiar with looking after teeth and ensuring they stay healthy, few people pay much attention to the gums. Periodontics in Lewiston ME is the professional dental study and treatment of the inflammatory conditions that affect the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. Our family dentists at Aspire Family Dentistry provide gum disease treatments for periodontitis and other gum-related oral health issues. Learn more about how we can help periodontitis.

Taking Care Of Gum Disease For Patients in Lewiston ME

Gum disease, or periodontitis, is a serious dental health situation that, left untreated, can wreak havoc on the health of your mouth and teeth. It’s a common dental issue that can be addressed, the earlier the better.

Created as an issue when gums become infected, periodontitis first destroys soft tissue, then may progress to bone loss in critical areas. Gum disease can be the start of loose and/or lost teeth.

Symptoms of Gum Disease:

• Bleeding Gums
• Tender Gums
• Blood On Toothbrush
• Swollen and/or Puffy Gums
• Halitosis (Bad Breath)
• Tooth Loss or Loosening
• Pain While Eating

The good news is that once diagnosed, we can stop further damage. Between brushing, flossing, and good oral hygiene, plus regular dental checkups here at Aspire Family Dentistry, the chances of contracting periodontitis can be minimized.

How Do You Get Gum Disease?

Not thorough enough dental hygiene sets the stage for bacteria, which produces plaque, and that leads to gum disease. Teeth accumulate plaque due to a variety of reasons, from eating particular types of food, to naturally occurring dental issues like teeth not in the right spot, or long/short gum lines. Plaque is tough, to say the least. It requires professional dental cleaning. Left undiagnosed to fester, plaque builds up and may cause gingivitis, a relatively mild form of periodontitis.

Gum disease has numerous causes, but it usually occurs when an infection is given the opportunity to take hold of the gums. The mildest form of gum disease is known as gingivitis. This results in inflammation of the gums, making them easier to become damaged or to bleed. Inflamed gums may also be caused by less than stringent dental hygiene that creates pockets between the teeth and gums, a prime spot for bacteria. This bacteria can spread, causing bone and tissue loss, as well as the loss of a tooth or teeth.

Many different factors can lead to gum disease. These include regular breathing, which constantly brings in bacteria and is hard on the gums. Smoking is another culprit, as it inhibits the gum’s ability to heal and misaligned teeth can distort the shape of the gums and allow bacteria easier opportunities to get inside. Even hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can affect the health of gums and make them more susceptible to gingivitis.

Gum Disease: Serious Business

There are many different habits and behaviors that may contribute to gum disease, from preventative dental health checkups to genetics. We take them all into consideration when working to restore the oral health of your gums.

Risk Factors For Gum Disease (Periodontitis):

• Poor Dental Hygiene
• Use of Tobacco Products
• Pregnancy & Menopause
• Drug Use (especially smoking and vaping)
• Obesity/Poor Nutrition
• Genetics
• Gingivitis
• Medications
• Health Conditions
• Disease

Gum Disease Treatment

Though often neglected or forgotten, the gums - and even saliva - play a vital role in the healthy state of your mouth. Teeth aren’t floating in the air; they are anchored in the jaw through the gums, which firmly hold them in place. Without the gums protecting both the teeth and the jaw, infections and other ailments have a much higher chance of taking hold.

You should visit a specialist such as a periodontist in Lewiston or a dental hygienist to determine the scope of your gum disease and see what procedures will be most effective. Root planning, for example, is a very thorough removal of tartar both above and below the gum line. This helps get rid of any remaining plaque that may still be on the teeth. For more severe cases, flap surgery may be required. This calls for lifting the gums away from the teeth to get at all the plaque and tartar that has formed underneath.

That’s why if you should contract gum disease, you should get this treated as quickly as possible. Again, we can’t say it enough. To prevent gum disease, good daily dental hygiene habits are critical, both early in life and throughout our trip around this mortal coil. Brush your teeth, floss, and visit Aspire Family Dentistry: we’ll hold the line against gum disease together!

FAQ's about Gum Disease

Gums also play a significant role in the health of your teeth and mouth, and some dental professionals are experts in this area. Here are a few of the common questions people have about gums and the experts that look after them.