It’s almost bedtime, so you are starting your nightly routine. While you are brushing your teeth, you notice something. Is there something red in the sink?
You look a little closer, then you look at your reflection in the mirror. Your gums appear to be bleeding.
No big deal, right? Wrong.
Bleeding gums are one of the first signs of gum disease. If you notice this problem, it’s best to take care of it sooner rather than later. Today, we want to discuss nonsurgical gum disease treatments you can receive at our Charlotte, NC dentist office.
Call McNulty & Dancausse General Dentistry at 704-766-8662 to heal your gums and your smile.
Do It For Your Teeth
Do you know the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States?
It’s not injuries. It’s not cavities. It’s gum disease.
Your gums serve important functions for your oral health. By covering the roots of your teeth, your gums help to keep your teeth in place while also providing protection for your roots.
When your gums are healthy, they should look pink and feel firm to the touch. In the early stages of periodontal disease, you may notice that your gums look redder than usual and appear swollen. Bleeding is also common at this point when you are brushing or flossing your teeth. (This also may be a clue that you aren’t flossing as often as you should.)
As this disease advances, bleeding can occur more frequently. You may notice that you have a bad taste in your mouth that won’t go away. (Other people may notice bad breath.) Your gums may feel sore or tender, too.
In the more advanced stages, you can develop gum recession, which is when your gums separate from your teeth. This can lead to teeth feeling loose, which can put your smile at risk.
Get Rid Of Your Infection
Gum disease can develop due to harmful bacteria in your mouth and irritation from tartar buildup along and below your gumline. If you notice any of the symptoms above, you may benefit from one or more of our nonsurgical treatment options:
- Scaling & Root Planing — This often is the first step in dealing with periodontal problems. This is similar to what we do during a cleaning and exam, but we go deeper to remove plaque and tartar buildup from the roots of teeth. Then we smooth the surface of your teeth, which makes it easier for your teeth to reattach to your gums.
- Laser Treatment — Dental lasers are part of the reason nonsurgical treatment is possible. Instead of cutting out infected gum tissue with a scalpel, we can use a laser to vaporize it. This also seals the gums (so stitches aren’t needed in most cases), reduces bleeding, shortens your recovery time, and preserves more of your healthy gum tissue.
- Antibiotics — When your infection has been removed, you don’t want it to come back. Antibiotic can get rid of surviving harmful bacteria and reduce your risk of another infection.
Care For Your Gums
While we are prepared to treat gum disease, your best bet is preventing problems. You can do this by remembering to brush and floss daily and by making regular visits to McNulty & Dancausse General Dentistry. To contact our office in Charlotte, NC, call 704-766-8662 or contact us online.