Gum Disease Chesapeake VA

During a routine preventive care exam, Dr. Cappy Sinclair will perform a periodontal disease screening to look for signs of gingivitis and gum disease. Dr. Sinclair, a dentist in Virginia Beach VA, emphasizes the importance of maintaining healthy gums for optimal dental health. Your gums support your teeth and play an important role in your overall health and well-being. Routine dental care is the best way to prevent gum disease. Your dental care routine should include daily brushing and flossing, as well as regular visits to Dr. Sinclair for professional dental cleanings and examinations.

What is Gum Disease?

Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissue that surrounds your teeth. Also referred as gum disease, it is a silent disease that many people do not know they have. It is caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that builds up on your teeth due to lack of proper dental care. This progressive bacterial infection will compromise the health and structure of the teeth, gums, and jaw. Gum disease has become a major health concern across America and is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

Stages of Gum Disease

Gingivitis: if you do not brush or floss your teeth adequately or often, then plaque will build up on your teeth. This build-up on the gum line will cause inflammation of the gums. Patients with recurring gingivitis may benefit from more frequent dental cleanings in our dentist office.

Periodontitis: if gingivitis is not properly treated, then it will advanced into periodontitis. At this stage, the infection has progressed and the bone structure that supports your teeth and the soft tissue are damaged. Immediate treatment is recommended for the best possible outcome and to limit the damage.

Advanced Periodontitis: by now the patient has suffered a severe loss of fibers, tissue, and bone that support the teeth, holding them in place. The teeth will begin to loosen and shift followed by loss of teeth. You will need to be treated immediately to attempt to save as many teeth as possible.

Signs of Gum Disease

  • Swollen, red, or tender gums
  • Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
  • Receding gum line
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Sores or puss coming from in between your teeth
  • Changes in your bite
  • Loose teeth
  • Dentures that do not fit anymore
  • Gum Pain

Treatment For Gum Disease

If you notice any of these signs, it’s important that you schedule an appointment immediately. Gum disease should be treated as soon as possible to prevent tooth loss and other problems. At our office, treatment is usually done with our WaterLase dental laser. It’s able to perform extremely precise tasks, targeting only the areas that need to be treated. Laser dentistry is ideal for gum disease because the laser automatically sterilizes the areas being treated.

Laser dentistry is an overall great option for patients. Treatment is often quicker, as are healing times. There’s minimal bleeding, no cutting, and most patients don’t even need numbing in the area being treated. Your results are immediate and you have minimal downtime due to the nature of laser treatment.

Schedule An Appointment

Dr. Sinclair treats gum disease in Chesapeake, VA, along with the surrounding areas. If you think you may have signs of gum disease, call us or schedule an appointment online.