Many children and adults in our country suffer from gum disease at some level. This is a very surprising fact considering it is very preventable and easily treated when caught in the early stages. Dr. James Furgurson leads a team of dental professionals that take periodontal disease very seriously.
At every routine dentist appointment, you will be screened for this progressive disease and offered prompt treatment. Chapel Hill Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is currently welcoming patients from Durham, NC who are seeking a dentist office that is experienced with preventing and treating gum disease. Our office also provides general dental services to new and existing patients in Durham, North Carolina.
Stages of Gum Disease
There are two general stages of periodontal disease: Gingivitis, and Periodontitis.
Gingivitis
This is the early stage of gum disease that is typically characterized by red, swollen or irritated gums that may bleed when brushing. Your dentist can easily spot the signs of gingivitis and offer a conservative treatment to help prevent progression of the disease.
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 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 the disease first appears. If you suffer from any of 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
Gum Disease Treatment
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 how advanced the disease is.
For patients who suffer from gingivitis, they may recommend several dental cleanings to help restore your gums to optimal health. If more intense treatment is necessary, your dentist may recommend a deep tooth cleaning known as scaling and root planing.
Scaling and root planing is a vigorous 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 build up to help avoid gum recession and tooth loss.
Gum Health Affects 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 health checkup, Dr. Furgurson and Dr. White will perform a periodontal health screening. Here they will be looking for the early indications of gingivitis and offer early intervention. Prompt treatment is very important since gum disease is progressive and will cause damage to your teeth and gums. Without proper treatment, it can even lead to tooth loss.