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Gum disease is perhaps the most common dental health problem among Americans today. What can often start as a minor irritation can quickly develop into a more serious case of periodontal disease which can have a dramatic effect on both your dental and overall health. There are several types of gum diseases including gingivitis, halitosis (bad breath) and stomatitis and it’s best to understand what they are and how to avoid them. At our Haddonfield dental office, we offer gum disease therapy including gingivitis, halitosis and stomatitis treatment to restore your oral health.

Gum Disease: What is It?

Gum disease is an infection of the tissues and bone that support the teeth. A progressive condition, gum disease left untreated can quickly become a more serious case of periodontal disease which can lead to tooth loss. Gum disease is caused by the accumulation of plaque on your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film made up of bacteria, small food particles and other materials that regularly build up in your mouth. Typically plaque is removed by a regular tooth brushing and oral hygiene regimen, however failure to remove it promptly allows it to harden and become tartar. Since tartar cannot be easily removed it tends to build up and irritate the gums resulting in the early onset of gum disease.

Common Forms of Gum Disease

Gingivitis and Periodontitis are the most common forms of gum disease, while stomatitis is closely related. These conditions are generally sequential in nature, which means normally they occur in stages, the first of which is mild to moderate irritation of the gums, followed by much more serious symptoms that can lead to tooth loss and the degeneration of your general health. Stomatitis is somewhat related, however it has a wider ranges of potential causes.

What is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is the first step in gum disease and is essentially the inflammation of the gums due to the accumulation of plaque and tartar. As this material builds up on the teeth it starts to irritate gums which then causes soreness and occasional bleeding. Left untreated, this relatively curable form of gum disease can quickly develop into a much more serious case of periodontal disease. Typically, a teeth cleaning followed by routine tooth brushing and flossing as well as the establishment of a regular schedule of dental checkups will quickly resolve this condition.

What is Periodontitis?

Periodontitis is a more serious form of gum disease that results when Gingivitis isn’t treated promptly. Irritated and swollen, the gums separate from the teeth and the resulting spaces attract bacteria leading to an infection. Left untreated, the condition will spread below the gum line generating toxins that trigger the body’s natural immune response. In addition, the infection damages the gums, bones and tissues that support the teeth and can result in tooth loss.

What is Stomatitis?

Stomatitis is not a direct form of gum disease, but a related ailment. Basically, this disease is the inflammation of the mucous lining of any of the structures in the mouth, which can involve the cheeks, gums, tongue, lips, and roof or floor of the mouth. This can be caused by both conditions that directly affect the mouth, such as inadequate oral hygiene or poorly fitting dentures and conditions that affect the entire body like medications, allergic reaction or infections.

Gum Disease Symptoms

Frequently most people rarely recognize the onset of gum disease, since it can often be difficult to detect. However becoming familiar with the symptoms of gum disease is the first step in limiting the complications created by this condition. Among the most noticeable symptoms are:

Halitosis (Bad Breath) – Occasional halitosis is not uncommon given the many different foods normally eaten within a day, however regularly occurring bad breath may be the first sign of gum disease. Normally, chronic halitosis will occur when an individual’s gum disease has advanced beyond gingivitis and the infection growing below the gum line producing an unpleasant odor.

Receding Gums – Frequently if the gums have become infected, they will shrink or recede. Initially, a person with gum disease may notice that the crowns of their teeth have become larger or more visible, however as the gum disease progresses the roots of the teeth may become exposed. So if your teeth appear longer than normal, are sensitive or exhibit a different color, you may already be experiencing gum disease symptoms.

Bleeding Gums – Typically, when gums are irritated due to gum disease they will become intensely red and bleed during everyday activities like eating or brushing your teeth. Unfortunately many people treat this as a common occurrence, but it isn’t. This is a sign that something is wrong and suggests that a dental exam is needed.

Tooth Pain – Pain is our body’s way of telling us that something is wrong, so if tooth pain is experienced then the underlying condition must be identified and treated. Occasionally, other symptoms of gum disease might be missed, so pain is a sure sign that a dental checkup is necessary.

Swelling – Irritation of the gums & mucous membranes including the lips, tongue, gums and mouth lining is not normal and is a gum disease symptom. While infrequent irritation may simply be the reaction to a very hot beverage or a recently consumed food, persistent swelling should be treated.

Gum Disease Treatment

Although gum diseases like gingivitis, Periodontitis and stomatitis are commonly seen conditions, gum disease treatment can be easily performed and Dr. Cutler routinely assists our Haddonfield area patients resolve their conditions and reinstate their dental hygiene regimen.

Among the first steps in our gum disease treatment is a thorough review of the circumstances that allowed the condition to develop. So we will review your oral care routine and make recommendations for changes, not to mention the elimination of behaviors that may promote gum disease like smoking or the taking of some medicines. Afterward, we’ll concentrate on the specific conditions:

Gingivitis Treatment

Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease, so thankfully our typical gingivitis treatment is a simple dental cleaning and your improved oral care routine. Dental cleanings involve the removal of dental plaque and tartar, as well as tooth polishing and some instruction in proper teeth brushing technique. We’ve found this approach affective and normally resolves the condition in a couple short weeks.

Periodontitis Treatment

Unfortunately, Periodontitis is more serious form of gum disease and the Periodontitis treatment can depend on the seriousness of the condition. A deep cleaning is often the first step, which involves in-depth cleaning procedures known as Scaling and Root Planing. Scaling removes tartar buildup from around the teeth while Root Planing removes areas on the teeth where bacteria may accumulate.

Stomatitis Treatment

Because Stomatitis can have a wide range of causes, the treatment can take many different forms. For example, swollen gums may actually be caused by Gingivitis and therefore a teeth cleaning and improved tooth brushing may be prescribed. Alternatively, irritation due to an ill fitting dental appliance, like dentures or braces, may require the adjustment of fit. Regardless, any Stomatitis treatment should focus on identifying and then eliminating the source of irritation.

If you or a family member feels that you are exhibiting symptoms that suggest mild or severe gum disease, contact us to help you determine what your best treatment options may be.

Dr. Hank Cutler

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