Gum Disease
Gum Disease Treatment in Stratford, CT
Gum disease is one of the most serious conditions that one will ever have to encounter, yet timely prevention or intervention can preserve your dental health and save you from any long-term repercussions. This is where Hawley Lane Dental comes in. As a highly skilled gum disease specialist near you in Stratford, we are here to help! Our office is conveniently situated just east of CT-8 and Merritt Parkway, serving residents of Stratford, Trumbull, and Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Gingivitis and Periodontal disease are easily detectable through the processes of periodontal charting. Periodontal charting is done by a dentist, periodontist, or dental hygienist. Periodontal charting primarily consists of probing (measuring) how tightly the gums are attached to the teeth. Healthy gums will have a measurement of 1-3 millimeters. Readings of 4 millimeters or higher may indicate the presence of periodontal disease. During periodontal charting, gum recession is noted, as well as inflammation, tooth mobility (loose teeth), bleeding, or puss.
What Are the Risk Factors for Gum Disease?
Your dentist or hygienist will also discuss your risk factors. These may include:
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Tobacco use
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Long periods between dental visits
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Family history
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Medications
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Stress
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Overall health
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Age
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Lack of proper home care (flossing and brushing)
What Are the Stages of Gum Disease?
There are different stages of periodontal disease, and your recommended treatment may vary based on the stage of the periodontal disease diagnosed by your dental provider.
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Gingivitis
This is the beginning of periodontal disease and the only stage that can be reversed. It is treated by both dental cleanings and routine at-home care. Signs of gingivitis may include slight sensitivity or soreness as well as bleeding when brushing and flossing. It is important to note that even gums that measure in the “healthy range” of 1-3 millimeters may still show signs of gingivitis. Your diagnosis is not based solely on numbers. The amount of plaque or tartar, bleeding, and the visual appearance of the gums also contribute to your diagnosis.
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Periodontal Disease (Periodontitis)
This is the progression of gingivitis. The bacteria that remain in the mouth and on the surface of the teeth have migrated below the gum and have begun to destroy the tissue and bone that support the teeth. The gums separate from the teeth, and bone loss may begin. Periodontal charting may show measurements of 4 millimeters or higher. Bleeding and recession may also be present. Because bacteria are present below the gum line, a “regular” dental cleaning (prophylaxis) that cleans the surface of the teeth is not enough to treat the disease. Scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) may be recommended by your provider to remove the bacteria below the gums. Antibiotics may also be used in combination with scaling and root planning.
More advanced or aggressive forms of periodontal disease are the most difficult to treat. At this stage, the signs and symptoms are easily noticed. These include bleeding or pus, difficulty or pain when eating, tooth mobility, gum recession, and severe bone loss visible on an X-ray. Your provider may recommend gum surgery to try to preserve your teeth. Teeth that may not respond to treatment may be recommended for extraction.
Studies have shown that up to 80% of the population has some form of periodontal disease present at any given time. The only way to prevent or treat the disease is to see your dental provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Gum Disease PreventionThrough Early Screening
How Gum Disease Can be a Threat to Your Oral Health
Gum disease is one of the most common issues we encounter in our practice, yet many patients don’t realize they have it. In fact, about 80% of the patients we see show some form of gum disease, from mild gingivitis to more severe periodontal disease. The challenge? Most patients don’t recognize the early signs, as gum disease is often painless in its initial stages. By the time symptoms like loose teeth or gum recession appear, the damage is much harder to reverse.
Why Early Screening is Essential
The key to preventing gum disease from advancing is early detection. Unfortunately, many dental offices don’t prioritize comprehensive gum screenings, especially older practices. At our office, we screen every patient, every time they visit. This routine approach allows us to:
- Establish a baseline for new patients.
- Monitor subtle changes in gum health over time.
- Catch gum disease in its earliest, most treatable stages.
By diagnosing gum issues early, we can intervene with less invasive and more cost-effective treatments, saving patients from extensive damage and costly procedures down the road.
The Early Signs of Gum Disease We Look For
During a gum screening, we carefully examine your gums for subtle signs of gum disease, even if you haven’t noticed any symptoms. The earliest indicators we check for include:
- Puffy, red gums: Inflammation is often the first sign of trouble.
- Bleeding gums: Healthy gums shouldn’t bleed when you brush or floss.
- Plaque buildup: Poor oral hygiene or excessive plaque can lead to gum irritation and infection.
For patients who don’t exhibit these symptoms, we still perform screenings to ensure no hidden issues are developing. Many times, patients are unaware of early gum disease until we point it out.
Advanced Gum Disease Symptoms
If gum disease progresses, the symptoms become more severe and noticeable. Some of the advanced gum disease symptoms and signs we often see include:
- Gum recession: The gums begin to pull away from the teeth, exposing more of the tooth root. Gum recession treatment options may include deep cleanings to manage infection and gum grafting procedures to restore lost gum tissue and protect exposed roots.
- Loose teeth: Patients may feel their teeth shifting or notice difficulty chewing certain foods.
- Bone loss: On X-rays, we can detect when the bone supporting the teeth has deteriorated.
When gum disease reaches this stage, patients may require more intensive treatments, such as deep cleanings, gum surgery, or even extractions in severe cases.
How We Screen for Gum Disease in Every Patient
Our gum screenings are thorough and systematic. For every patient, we use a small ruler-like instrument to measure the space between the teeth and gums. This “pocket depth” measurement helps us determine the health of the gum tissue:
- Healthy gums: Pockets of 1–3 millimeters are considered normal.
- Signs of gum disease: Pockets greater than 3 millimeters indicate that the gums are starting to separate from the teeth, a sign of disease progression.
We measure six points on every tooth, recording these findings in the patient’s chart. This allows us to monitor changes over time and address potential problem areas before they worsen.
Regular Checkups for Lifelong Gum Health
For new patients, we establish a detailed baseline during their first visit. This includes measuring their gum health and documenting any areas of concern. At subsequent visits, we focus on problem areas while rechecking their overall gum health. Even patients with no symptoms or complaints benefit from routine screenings, as gum disease can remain undetected without professional evaluation.
For patients at higher risk of gum disease—such as those with diabetes, dry mouth, or poor oral hygiene—we may recommend more frequent cleanings and checkups. Our goal is to catch issues early and help patients maintain optimal oral health.
Early Gum Disease Treatment for Better Outcomes
When we identify early gum disease, the treatments are often straightforward and minimally invasive. Common gum disease treatments include:
- Professional cleanings: Removing plaque and tartar buildup can resolve mild gingivitis.
- Scaling and root planing: A deeper cleaning to address pockets and prevent further infection.
- At-home care recommendations: Improving brushing and flossing habits can help stop gum disease in its tracks.
For patients with more advanced cases, we may recommend seeing a periodontist or discussing additional gum disease treatment options, such as antibiotics or surgical interventions.
Educating Patients About Gum Health
One of the most difficult conversations we have is with patients who come in after years of neglect or inadequate dental care. These patients often didn’t realize their gum health was deteriorating because previous dental offices failed to screen for it. By showing them detailed measurements, X-rays, and comparisons to healthy gums, we help them understand their condition and the steps they can take to improve it.
Why Our Approach is Different
What sets our practice apart is our commitment to screening every patient, every time. Many offices don’t measure gum health routinely, which can lead to undiagnosed cases of gum disease. Our proactive approach ensures that no patient leaves our office unaware of their gum health. We prioritize early detection and patient education because we believe prevention is the best treatment.
Take Control of Your Gum Health Today
Gum disease doesn’t have to progress to the point where it impacts your smile or overall health. With regular screenings and early intervention, you can keep your gums healthy and your teeth strong for a lifetime. Schedule a visit with a dentist near you to learn more about how our screenings can help protect your smile.
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Monday - 9:00am–5:00pm
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Tuesday - 8:00am–5:00pm
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Wednesday - 8:00am–5:00pm
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Thursday - 8:00am–5:00pm
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Friday - 8:00am–5:00pm
