Four Things You Need to Know About Gum Disease and Treatment Options

Distinctive Dentistry offers effective gum disease treatment to patients in and around Eugene, Oregon. Although gum disease progresses without significant discomfort, this oral condition is severe and needs urgent attention. Left untreated, periodontal disease can cause tooth loss and systemic infections.

Your gums are as important as your teeth. So, if you suspect periodontal disease, reserve an appointment with Drs. Ty Jaros, Jacob Gubrud, and Robert J. Gemmell for treatment. We offer non-surgical treatments to ensure you maintain optimal gum health.

What you should know about gum disease

Your teeth may be the stars of your smile, but your gums play an equally important role behind the scenes. Healthy gums support your teeth and protect them from infections and injuries. When your gums become compromised, the foundation of your smile weakens, potentially putting your entire dental structure at risk. Even the strongest teeth can lose stability without healthy gums, leading to serious oral health problems.

Because your gums are vital for your smile, gum disease should never go unchecked. Here’s what you need to know further about gum disease and treatment options.

1. Plaque is the primary cause

Dental plaque is a sticky, colorless film that forms when food debris interacts with saliva and unwanted bacteria. Plaque is easily removable by brushing and flossing, but your home tools can’t reach every area of the mouth. That’s why we recommend you visit us every six months to clean those hard-to-access areas of your mouth.

Although you can’t see plaque, it doesn’t mean it’s harmless. Dental plaque contains harmful bacteria that irritate your gums, causing gingivitis (the earliest form of gum disease). With time, plaque progresses into tartar, which is bad news for oral health. Tartar or dental calculus can’t be removed with your toothbrush or dental floss—it needs the dentist’s intervention. And that’s not all. Tartar creates a suitable environment for more bacterial invasions.

2. Once gums shrink, they don’t grow back

When gingivitis is left to thrive, it advances into periodontitis. At this stage, the harmful bacteria destroy the periodontal ligaments between the teeth and gums, causing deep pockets to form as your gums recede (pull back). When gums shrink, they won’t grow back to their original healthier position. Gum damage will progress without proper treatment, and your oral health will only worsen.

3. Most periodontal treatments are non-surgical

Early intervention is the most effective method to combat gum disease when prevention fails. We can reverse gingivitis with regular dental cleanings and a strict oral hygiene routine. Periodontitis is irreversible but treatable. Our office uses deep teeth cleaning to manage moderate to severe gum disease. This treatment combines scaling and root planing to remove unwanted bacteria and promote healing. Surgical treatments like gum flap surgery and grafting may be needed, but this is rarely the case.

4. Teeth replacements may be necessary

Gum disease can lead to tooth loss by progressively damaging the structures that support your teeth. The teeth may become so loose that they either fall out on their own or require extraction by a dentist. As you’d expect, tooth loss affects your aesthetics and functionality. Your periodontal treatment may include teeth replacements like dental implants to restore your smile’s appearance and oral function.

Gum disease treatment near me

Don’t wait to treat gum disease until it’s too late. Take action today! Call (541) 255-1287 to schedule your gum disease treatment with Distinctive Dentistry. The sooner we treat it, the better the chance of preserving your oral health without invasive treatments. Your smile is worth it!

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