Putting a spotlight on your gums: FAQs about how we protect smiles from destructive gum disease
The teeth may be the “stars” of your smile, always under the spotlight, but the gums should never be left in the dark. At Park Avenue Dental Care, our team in Homewood, Illinois, prioritizes proactive treatment of the gums that surround, support, protect, and “frame” our teeth.
How do I know if my gums are healthy?
Generally, your gums may be healthy if you don’t notice any changes in how they look or feel. But there is a big caveat to this: Gum disease and other problems are often asymptomatic early on. It is only after the disease has already developed and progressed that patients may notice the “red flags,” such as blood on their toothbrush or puffy, overly red gums. Only our professionals, Drs James Kreuz, Gregory Duffner, and Alex Dolinar, can determine for sure if you have an underlying condition that requires treatment.
What causes gum disease?
This progressive condition is characterized by inflammation in its earliest stages (gingivitis) and the breakdown of the soft and hard tissues in the jaw in its advanced stages (periodontitis). It is caused by bacterial plaque, which flourishes when the starches and sugars in our foods and beverages are not brushed or flossed away. Without treatment, the bacteria in plaque release toxins that set off a destructive process whereby the body essentially turns on itself. The supportive tissues are eroded, and eventually, teeth may fall out or require extractions.
What treatments do you offer?
Of course, the best “treatment” is really no treatment at all. Our team takes great pride in getting to know our patients. We assess their risk factors and address and resolve those risks with guidance on good oral care at home, the introduction of special or medicated rinses, and the application of supplemental fluoride or other professional preventative services.
What if I have existing disease?
We are here to help! When detected and treated early, the effects of gingivitis can be reversed. We can also treat gum disease without conventional surgery. Options may include a nonsurgical “deep cleaning” with scaling and root planing or laser-assisted therapy to heal the gums and even regenerate lost tissues without traditional cutting tools and techniques.
Will it hurt?
No treatment at the office of Park Avenue Dental Care should ever hurt! We are in the business of preventing and getting you out of pain. We do not cause undue discomfort. The use of many advanced technologies, like lasers, helps support our kind, non-judgmental, highly skilled team in providing the most comfortable care. Laser dentistry, for one, is a minimally invasive approach that is associated with less bleeding, discomfort, and swelling than conventional surgical techniques. Of course, we urge you to contact us before you have pain that must be relieved and, later, effectively treated at its source.
If you are due for a checkup, call our team in Homewood, IL, today at (708) 798-6868.
