Thompson Advanced Dentistry is your local dentist office that provides treatment for all stages of gum disease. Dr. Joseph Thompson and his team are passionate about keeping smiles healthy and disease-free. We offer complete dental services, including periodontal disease treatment near Loveland, CO. While gum disease is a common dental problem, that doesn’t mean it’s ok to let infection spread. Dr. Thompson is here to improve your gum health and prevent future tooth and gum problems.
How Does Periodontal Disease Develop?
Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, usually starts with poor oral care. When teeth are not brushed and flossed regularly, plaque builds up on the teeth and along the gumline. Plaque is a sticky film full of bacteria. If it is not removed, it hardens into tartar and begins to irritate the gums.
Over time, the gums can become red, swollen, and start to bleed. As the disease gets worse, the gums may pull away from the teeth, creating spaces where more bacteria can collect. This can lead to infection, bone loss, and even tooth loss if not treated.
Other factors can also increase the risk of gum disease. Hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause can make gums more sensitive. Poor nutrition can weaken the body’s ability to fight infection. Teeth grinding, TMJ disorders, and using tobacco products can also damage the gums and make periodontal disease more likely.
What is plaque?
Plaque is a sticky, soft film that forms on your teeth every day. It develops when saliva mixes with food and drinks in your mouth, especially sugary and starchy foods. Plaque is usually clear or pale yellow, which makes it hard to see, but it is full of bacteria.
If plaque is not removed by brushing and flossing, it can build up along the gumline. The bacteria in plaque irritate the gums and cause redness, swelling, and bleeding.
Signs of Gum Disease
If you suffer from any of the following signs and symptoms, please schedule an appointment as soon as possible with Dr. Thompson at his Loveland, CO area dentist office:
- Red, swollen, or sore gums
- Sensitive 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 can begin with irritated and bleeding gums. Visit our office as soon as you notice changes in your gum health. Early gum treatment can reduce your risk of more complex gum issues.
The Stages of Periodontal Disease
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and can be easily treated if caught early enough. However, many people do not even realize they have it because the symptoms are minimal and not painful. Signs you have gingivitis include occasional bad breath, swollen gums, red gums, or even slight bleeding when you are brushing or flossing.
The second stage of gum disease is periodontitis. Once your gum disease has reached this stage, you must know that it is irreversible. Here, the infection has reached the underlying bone and begins to destroy it.
The infection may even reach your bloodstream and affect your overall health. Your teeth will begin to shift and loosen. Tooth loss is likely without intensive treatment.
Gum Disease Treatment near Loveland, CO
Gum disease is a common dental problem, but it can be treated when caught early. Dr. Joseph Thompson offers gentle, effective gum disease treatment for patients near Loveland, CO. Our goal is to stop infection, protect your gums and bone, and help you maintain a healthy smile.
Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning used to treat gum disease below the gumline. During this treatment, Dr. Thompson carefully removes plaque and tartar from around the teeth and roots. The tooth roots are then smoothed to help the gums heal and reattach to the teeth. This treatment helps reduce swelling, bleeding, and bad breath while preventing the disease from getting worse.
In some cases, we may use antibiotics along with scaling and root planing to fight infection. Antibiotics help kill harmful bacteria that cause gum disease and support the healing process. Dr. Thompson may place antibiotics directly in the gums or prescribe medication to take at home. He’ll recommend the best option depending on your needs.
Dr. Thompson will recommend a deep gum cleaning if you have persistent gum problems. He’ll recommend that you visit us every 3 or 4 months to manage your gum infection.
How to Prevent Periodontal Disease
Avoiding gum disease in the first place is the best line of defense against this debilitating disease. The only way to prevent it is with proper preventive dental care. This will protect your teeth, gums, the underlying bone, and overall health.
Brush and Floss
We learn at an early age that brushing your teeth every day is important! Dr. Thompson suggests using fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristle toothbrush to clean your teeth at least twice a day, if not more. Flossing once a day is also important to remove food that gets stuck.
Avoid Tobacco Products
Avoiding tobacco products helps keep your gums healthy by improving blood flow and allowing your body to fight off infection more effectively. Smoking and chewing tobacco weaken the immune system, making it harder for gums to heal and easier for gum disease to develop. By staying tobacco-free, you lower your risk of gum inflammation, bone loss, and tooth loss.
Visit the Dentist
Visiting our Loveland, CO area dentist office twice a year is crucial to catching gum disease in the early stages when it can be treated and reversed. We will also thoroughly clean your teeth by removing built-up plaque that hides in places in your mouth where a toothbrush cannot reach.
Schedule a Visit Today
Dr. Thompson welcomes patients from many of the surrounding areas, including Loveland, CO. If you think you may have gum disease, schedule an appointment today to get your oral health back on track as soon as possible.
Contact our office to schedule an appointment by calling 970-205-9614. You can also request a dental visit online today.