It almost goes without saying, but gum disease is a major health burden. This infection causes many nasty symptoms – bleeding gums, painful chewing, etc. – that lower your quality of life. Even so, don’t panic; your dentist can cure gum disease if you act quickly. You’d then be free of this condition’s awful signs. To learn more, here’s a primer on gum disease, how dentists can cure it, and why to visit your Hackettstown dental practice.
Gum Disease & Its Stages
If you want to know why gum disease is “curable,” you’ll need to grasp its stages first. Then you’ll see why dentists can potentially eliminate it.
Gum disease has two distinct and separate stages: gingivitis and periodontitis. The first (gingivitis) refers to an inflammation of your gums – an issue that’s irritating but ultimately minor. In contrast, the second (periodontitis) is an advanced infection that directly attacks your jaw and gum tissues. It doesn’t take long for gingivitis to become periodontitis; the shift can occur in just a few weeks or months.
Of course, only a medical professional can tell whether you have gingivitis or periodontitis. You’ll thus need to consult one to confirm the severity of your gum disease.
How Dentists Can “Cure” Gum Disease
Dentistry can cure gum disease when it’s still mild. If you get a diagnosis and treatment before it worsens, your gums will soon be back to normal.
You see, gingivitis is reversible with dental care. Its signs and symptoms will slowly fade through twice-daily brushing, once-daily flossing, and a suitable periodontal therapy. One good example of the latter is scaling and root planing, which offers a “deep cleaning” of the areas below and above your gumline. Another is a gingivectomy – a treatment that removes diseased tissue and deepens cleaning.
On the other hand, periodontitis isn’t reversible. It represents an advanced form of gum disease that can only be managed at best. Therefore, you should avoid this condition when possible.
Let Your Hackettstown Dentist Help
Given the facts above, you should quickly see your Hackettstown dentist if you have gingivitis. We at Skylands Dental of New Jersey will eliminate it for you!
Even if you can’t see us on weekdays, we have you covered. Our office now offers in-office periodontal care on alternating Saturdays, ensuring busy patients have time to visit. You won’t have to disrupt your workday schedule to get the expert gum disease treatment you deserve.
If all these things sound good to you, don’t delay your consultation. Schedule your visit soon by calling (908)-850-0005.
About the Author
Dr. Zahir Khokhar is a periodontist in Hackettstown, NJ, having earned his DDS from the University of Detroit Mercy. Thanks to postdoctoral training and years of experience “in the field,” he provides advanced dental care – including for gum disease – for local patients. His skills also equip him for work in oral rehabilitation, cosmetic dentistry, and dental implant placement. Today, Dr. Khokhar practices at Skylands Dental of New Jersey and can be reached on his website and by phone at (908)-850-0005.