Gum Disease

Gum (periodontal) disease is more common than you may think — according to the CDC, almost half of American adults currently suffer from some degree of gum disease. Gum disease is an inflammatory disease around both the gums and hard structures that support the teeth and is the leading cause of tooth loss.

Gingivitis is the beginning stage of gum disease where your gums are swollen and bleed every time you floss. It’s good to know that with a combination of great home care and professional care, your gums can be restored easily. However, if gingivitis is left untreated, it can progress into periodontitis which is a more serious stage of gum disease where you may experience infections, tooth loss, and even be at an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Note that diabetes, tobacco use, a weakened immune system, and poor oral hygiene all increase a person’s risk for gum disease.

Deep cleanings, also known as scaling or root planing, are a great way to treat moderate gum disease. It is much like a standard cleaning, however, we also clean below the gum line to remove plaque and damaged gum tissue from exposed areas. Our team will do their best to make the experience as comfortable as possible and we also offer some mild sedation if required. If you have an infection in your gums, we may offer an antibiotic powder that is placed inside the gums to fight infection at the source.

At Herndon Dental Arts, we are proud to have our own periodontal expert, Dr. Habib as a resident at our practice to perform advanced periodontal procedures. We hope that with regular dental exams and cleanings, we can clear up any gum disease before it gets serious through deep cleanings and local antibiotic treatment as needed.