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.
Gum Disease FAQs
Learn more about gum disease in Durham, NC, with answers to these common patient questions:
How is gum disease linked to heart disease?
Gum disease and heart disease are connected because the inflammation caused by gum disease can affect more than just your mouth. When you have gum disease, bacteria from your gums can enter your bloodstream. This bacteria can travel to other parts of your body, including your heart, where it may cause inflammation in your blood vessels.
This inflammation can increase your risk for heart problems like heart attacks and strokes. Studies show that people with gum disease are more likely to have heart disease than those with healthy gums.
Why do I have gum disease if I’m pregnant?
If you’re pregnant, you may be more likely to get gum disease because of hormonal changes. During pregnancy, your body produces more hormones like progesterone, making your gums more sensitive to plaque and bacteria. This can cause your gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily, a condition called “pregnancy gingivitis.”
Pregnancy gingivitis is common, but you still need to take care of your gums by brushing, flossing, and seeing our dentist. If gum disease isn’t treated, it can worsen and lead to more serious problems for your teeth and overall health during pregnancy.
Is gum disease reversible?
Yes, gum disease is reversible, but only in its early stage, called gingivitis. Gum disease causes redness, swelling, and bleeding gums at this stage. With good oral hygiene—like brushing twice daily, flossing daily, and regular dental cleanings—gingivitis can be reversed, and your gums can heal.
If gum disease progresses to a more advanced stage, called periodontitis, it is not reversible. It can damage the gums and bone that support your teeth. While it can’t be cured, it can be managed with professional treatments from a dentist to prevent it from getting worse.
Do I have gum disease if my gums bleed when I brush?
If your gums bleed when you brush, it could be a sign of gum disease, but it doesn’t always mean you have it. Bleeding gums are often an early symptom of gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease. This happens when plaque builds up on your teeth and irritates your gums, making them swollen and more likely to bleed.
However, bleeding gums can also be caused by brushing too hard, using a toothbrush with hard bristles, or even changes in your body, like pregnancy or certain medications.
If your gums are bleeding regularly, see Dr. Furgurson. He can check your gums and recommend the best way to treat or prevent gum disease.
Can I treat gum disease at home?
Gum disease can start off mild, but you should take it seriously to protect your oral health. While you can take steps at home to manage early gum disease , more advanced stages usually need professional dental care.
At home, you can:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss daily to clean between your teeth.
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash to help reduce bacteria.
These steps can help prevent and control mild gum disease. However, if your gums are red, swollen, bleed easily, or you notice bad breath that won’t go away, see our dentist. They can provide treatments like deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) to stop the disease from worsening.
What can trigger gum disease flare-ups?
Gum disease flare-ups can happen when certain things cause your gums to become irritated or inflamed. Some common triggers include:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Smoking
- Stress (weakening your immune system)
- Hormonal changes (especially during pregnancy or menopause)
- Uncontrolled diabetes
Taking care of your teeth and gums daily and managing these triggers can help reduce the chances of flare-ups. If you notice symptoms like swollen or bleeding gums, see our dentist for help.
Will I lose my teeth if I have gum disease?
Gum disease can lead to tooth loss if left untreated. In its early stage, called gingivitis, gum disease causes redness, swelling, and bleeding. At this stage, it can usually be reversed with good oral care and professional dental cleanings.
However, if gum disease becomes more advanced, it turns into periodontitis. This can cause your gums to pull away from your teeth, creating pockets that trap bacteria. Over time, this can damage the bone that supports your teeth, causing them to become loose or even fall out. The good news is that with early treatment and proper care, you can prevent tooth loss.
How much does it cost to treat gum disease?
The cost of your gum disease treatment depends on the treatment type and your stage of gum disease. The cost may be lower for mild cases like gingivitis because routine cleanings and better home care are required. However, treatment for more advanced gum disease, like periodontitis, can be more expensive. Deep cleanings, surgery, or other treatments can increase cost.
Many dental insurance plans cover part of the cost for gum disease treatment. Check with your insurance provider or talk to your dentist for an estimate.
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.