Gum Disease in Dixon
Periodontal or gum disease can damage the surrounding soft tissues and bone around your teeth. The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis.
Periodontal Disease
at Exceptional Dentistry
Periodontal or gum disease can damage the surrounding soft tissues and bone around your teeth. The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis. If treated at this stage, gum disease can be stopped and even reversed. If not treated, it will lead to the next stage, periodontitis, which will now damage the gums, and other structures that support your teeth, resulting in tooth loss.
At Exceptional Dentistry, our entire staff strives to provide exceptional, affordable, and professional dental care in a welcoming and relaxing environment. Each of us believes that you deserve quality family time so we can achieve and maintain your ultimate smile goals. We will not begin any proposed treatment until you fully understand and agree with the diagnosis and the treatment plan. If you would like an evaluation to determine if you might have a stage of gum disease, call us at 815-288-4731. We are conveniently located at 724 N. Brinton Ave., Dixon, Il, 61021. We look forward to treating you as a family member with exceptional service.
Gum disease has become more common. Over half of Americans 30 years and older have some form of gum disease. Gum disease is usually painless, and you will not feel it, but it will progress into an infection, inflammation, swelling, or sensitivity of your gums. If left untreated, gum disease will deteriorate your jawbone, and will result in losing teeth or the need of extensive dental surgery. There can also be significant health issues associated with gum disease, including diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. There are very subtle symptoms of early-stage gum disease, and you may not know you have a problem. This makes regular checkups with Exceptional Dentistry a crucial part of maintaining healthy teeth and gums, allowing us to identify potential dental health concerns such as gum disease and take the proper preventative measures.
Experienced Doctors
Looking for a dentist in Dixon, IL? Our highly knowledgeable dentists have 35+ years of combined experience; at our Dixon dental office, you're always in good hands.
Modernized Dental Care
Our Dixon dentists continuously use advanced and proven dental methods to ensure you receive the highest quality care.
Family-Oriented Practice
Dental care isn't just for adults; it's for kids too! Our dentists in Dixon, IL are happy to treat younger patients.
Emergency Dental Care
Emergencies won't wait for you; you shouldn't have to wait either. Our dentists in 61021 offer same-day treatments for dental emergencies!
Warning Signs of Gum Disease
Unfortunately, these signs may not be easily recognizable by you until the disease has progressed to a severe level. Professional evaluation is critical for early detection.
- Red, swollen, or tender gums.
- Receding gums.
- Your gums bleed easily.
- Your gums have pulled away from the teeth creating pockets.
- You have persistent bad breath.
- Teeth that seem loose, shifting, or changing position.
- A change in the alignment of your teeth.
- A change in the fit of your dentures or partial dentures.
The Stages of Gum Disease
One of the best ways to prevent development of gum disease is to understand the various stages of gum diseases and the symptoms associated with each level.
- Gingivitis- The first stage, is a frequent and common gum disease. Gingivitis develops after plaque builds up on your teeth. The sign of gingivitis is your gums become swollen, irritated, or puffy. If you ignore this stage, it will quickly lead to periodontitis and more significant health issues. Gingivitis is easy to treat through a simple deep cleaning.
- Early Periodontitis- The second stage, happens when the bacteria that has formed around the gum has increased, and now the symptoms are bleeding gums, with the continued growth of plaque below the gum line. If you have reached this stage of gum disease, Exceptional Dentistry will need to exercise a more advanced treatment. We might recommend deep cleaning, laser therapy, or a combination of both.
- Advanced Periodontitis- The final stage, occurs when the bacteria and toxins in the plaque have built up so much that they have now formed sagging, deep pockets between the gums and teeth, which accelerates the problem by allowing even more bacteria to settle. This in turn promotes the advanced deterioration of the jawbone. If you have reached this stage of gum disease, extensive laser therapy, deep cleaning treatment, or a combination of both will be necessary.
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The Different Treatments for the Different Stages of Gum Disease
The staff at Exceptional Dentistry treat all stages of gum disease. We provide the proper treatment which might include:
- Prophylaxis (teeth cleaning) – In the early stage, most gum disease can be stopped and reversed using a simple cleaning procedure by one of our skilled dental hygienists.
- Scaling and root planing – A more advanced form of gum cleaning, a scale and root planing treatment involves cleaning deeper under your gums and then planing, or smoothing, the surface of the root to remove the toxins and bacteria.
- Gum surgery – In more advanced cases of gum disease, we could recommend gum surgery in conjunction with a regenerative process to both eliminate the disease and help restore any lost tissues.
- Bone grafting – In the most advanced gum disease, bone density is now lost around the teeth, which leads to tooth loss. We might recommend a bone grafting procedure in addition to one of the previous treatments above to regenerate the bone integrity and stabilize your oral health.
- Antibacterial rinses- When appropriate, we might prescribe an anti-bacterial rinse to be used at home to reduce the level of bacteria in your mouth.
The most important thing you can do to prevent gum disease is to continue exercising good oral hygiene habits at home. Maintaining these preventative habits is crucial to preventing gum disease from developing. Brush twice daily for at least two minutes each time. Also maintain regular flossing habits and consider adding antimicrobial mouth rinses.
Along with these at home habits, it is also especially important that you continue scheduling your regular visits with Exceptional Dentistry. Visiting us every six months will allow us to compliment your work by conducting professional teeth cleanings and monitoring the state of your oral health and being proactive on any issues.
Your Satisfaction Make Our Services Exceptional
The entire staff at Exceptional Dentistry pays deliberate attention to all details when it comes to providing you with superior dental care. We will review your oral health history, capture digital images to document continued history, and always discuss any diagnosis, treatment options, and financing and insurance benefits. We want you to make educated and informed decisions about your dental care. If you would like an evaluation to determine if you might have a level of gum disease, give our office a call at 815-288-4731. We are also easy to find at 724 N. Brinton Ave, Dixon, Il, 61021. We treat all patients as family with exceptional treatment.