Get relief from painful, swollen gums with periodontal disease treatment near Dent, OH

Red, swollen, and inflamed gums are not only uncomfortable to live with but can negatively impact the health of your whole mouth and overall vitality. Patients near Dent, Fairfield, Bridgetown, and other communities in the Cincinnati, OH area can find relief from painful and swollen gums with the team from Patel and Dornhecker Dentistry. They will evaluate your periodontal disease, discuss an effective treatment plan for your specific needs, and work with you on a home care plan to take care of your gums after treatment to prevent future issues.

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is extremely common, and up to 80% of adults over the age of 30 have it. Gum disease has multiple stages, and it is important to halt it in its tracks, as early as possible, to prevent further problems.

At the beginning stage, gum inflammation, also called gingivitis, may not cause you any pain or other symptoms. However, your body still recognizes it and tries to cope with the underlying inflammation of gingivitis, which can sap your overall well-being. If you have gingivitis, you may notice that your gums bleed when you are brushing your teeth, mild toothaches, or pain in your jaw.

If gum disease progresses beyond gingivitis, it is called periodontitis. This happens when the bacteria in your gums multiply and work deeper into your gums and teeth. Your teeth can become loose at this stage because the bacteria infect the ligaments and bones in your jaw that keep your teeth in the right place, and you can eventually lose teeth. In addition, the bacteria that infect your gums may also cause other health problems such as diabetes, strokes, and cardiovascular disease as they circulate through your body.

Your risk of periodontal disease increases if you smoke, take certain drugs such as anti-hypertensive medications, are undergoing hormonal changes such as puberty or pregnancy, or have certain health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, or AIDS. Some people are also naturally more susceptible to periodontal disease due to genetics.

Types of treatments available for periodontal disease

A number of treatment options are available to help fight gum disease. Many of them are complementary and can be used together to restore your oral health.

Scaling and debridement are treatments that your dentist can perform in one or more visits to clean your teeth below the gum line. Using either an ultrasonic device or hand tools, the dentist will break up any plaque and calculus that has accumulated below the surface of the gums and remove stubborn bacteria.

Several types of medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, are also available to help bring your gums back to health. These include antibacterial mouthwashes, antibiotic gels, systemic antibiotics, and other medicines. Sometimes, these treatment methods are insufficient and surgical interventions are needed. Your dental team can help you determine if you would be best served by a specialist to best serve your particular situation.

Regular home care is one of the most important steps you can take to rejuvenate your gums and bring them back to health. The team at Patel and Dornhecker Dentistry can inform you about the proper oral hygiene techniques you should use to take to make sure your teeth and gums stay healthy.

Keeping your gums and teeth healthy after treatment

Fortunately, gum disease is largely preventable by maintaining good oral hygiene. Once you and your dentist have halted the progression of your periodontal disease, you can help maintain your gum health with the following preventative measures:

• Brush your teeth twice a day or after every meal with a high-quality toothpaste
• Floss your teeth after meals, or at least one time per day
• Rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash to help eradicate any bacteria that brushing, and flossing don’t remove
• See your dentist every six months for a professional cleaning and oral health exam

Restore your oral health with experienced, compassionate care

The dental care team at Patel and Dornhecker Dentistry is experienced in diagnosing and effectively treating gum disease and will work with you to develop a plan to restore your oral health. The office on the west side is conveniently located near Dent, OH and we also have a location nearby in Fairfield, OH to help serve your needs.

See your dentist at least every 6 months whether you are a new or existing patient.

The team at Patel and Dornhecker Dentistry is equipped to reduce the inflammation, pain, and swelling you may have due to gum disease. Call today at (513) 815-3188 to schedule an appointment!