Many children and adults in our country suffer from gum disease at some level. This is surprising because it is preventable and easily treated when caught in the early stages. Dr. James Furgurson leads a team of dental professionals who take periodontal disease seriously. They provide gum disease treatment in Durham, NC.
You will be screened for this progressive disease at every routine dentist appointment and offered prompt treatment. Chapel Hill Family and Cosmetic Dentistry is currently welcoming patients from Durham, NC, who need a dentist office experienced with preventing and treating gum disease. Our office also provides general dental services to new and existing patients in Durham, North Carolina.
The Stages of Gum Disease
We will recommend gum disease treatment based on your symptoms and stage. Gum disease has four main stages:
Gingivitis
This is the early stage of gum disease, typically characterized by red, swollen, or irritated gums that may bleed when brushing. Your dentist can easily spot the signs of gingivitis and offer conservative treatment to help prevent the progression of the disease.
Mild Periodontitis
This is an early stage of gum disease that affects the gums and the bone that supports your teeth. At this stage, the infection starts to affect the bone that supports your teeth. Your gums may begin to pull away from your teeth, forming small pockets where bacteria can collect.
Deep gum cleanings and an improved at-home oral hygiene routine can help keep your infection in check. While this infection is not completely reversible, professional care will ensure your daily comfort.
Moderate Periodontitis
At this stage, your gums may bleed more easily, feel tender, or start to pull away from your teeth, creating deeper pockets where bacteria can hide. You might also notice your teeth feeling loose or shifting slightly.
Moderate periodontitis requires professional treatment to prevent further damage and help protect your teeth from becoming loose or falling out. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits will also help manage this condition.
Advanced Periodontitis
This is the advanced stage of gum disease that has complex symptoms, including receding gums and loose teeth. When the disease reaches this stage, intense and invasive treatment is required.
We may need to coordinate treatment with a local Durham, NC, periodontist to restore your gum health. If you would like more information on how we diagnose and treat, please visit Periodontal therapy.
Gum Disease Symptoms
Most patients may not realize they have gum disease, especially when it first appears. If you suffer from the following signs or symptoms, we encourage you to bring this up with Dr. Furgurson or Dr. Nathan White, our local Durham, NC, area dentists.
Common signs of gum disease include:
- Red, swollen, or sore gums
- Bleeding gums
- Receding gums
- Loose or wiggly teeth
- Sores or pus between gums and teeth
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Changes in the fit of dentures
The sooner you treat signs of gum disease, the better. Contact us as soon as possible. Early detection and treatment can prevent gum disease from getting worse. Dr. Furgurson will examine your gums and consider your symptoms to find the right treatment for you.
Gum Disease Treatment in Durham, NC
The best treatment for periodontal disease is prevention. Proper oral hygiene habits include daily brushing and floss and regular visits to our Durham area dentist office. Dr. Furgurson and Dr. White offer periodontal therapy depending on the stage of the disease.
If you have gingivitis, our dentists may recommend several dental cleanings to help restore your gums to optimal health. If more intense treatment is necessary, our dentists may recommend a deep tooth cleaning known as scaling and root planing.
Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning that aims to remove bacteria from deep in the pockets of the gums. Your dentist will use special dental tools to remove the bacteria-causing plaque and tartar that have developed. This will help prevent further buildup, gum recession, and tooth loss.
How Your Gum Health Affects Your Overall Health
We all understand that taking care of our body is good for our long-term, overall health. Yet many people fall short on caring for their teeth and gums. Diseases in the mouth such as gum disease can directly affect our overall health. They can lead to many complications such as stroke, heart disease, and diabetes.
At every preventive dental checkup, Dr. Furgurson and Dr. White perform a gum disease screening. Here, they look for early signs of gingivitis and offer early intervention. Prompt treatment is essential since gum disease is progressive and can damage teeth and gums. Without proper treatment, it can even lead to tooth loss.
Heal Your Gums
Call Dr. Furgurson’s office for gum disease treatment in Durham, NC, at 919.736.6175. You may also schedule a dental appointment with us online.