Gum Disease

Springfield, Holyoke, Longmeadow, and Wilbraham, MA Periodontics

Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. It occurs when the soft tissue and bone around your teeth become infected. It is important to identify gum disease as soon as possible to halt its progression and save your teeth. The periodontists at Baystate Dental are fully trained to provide diagnosis and periodontic treatment of this common condition.

"Periodontal" comes from the Greek, meaning "around the teeth." Periodontal disease starts as a bacterial infection which spreads into the gums, jawbone and ligaments that support the teeth, holding them in the jaw. It may be mostly painless until a tooth’s nerve is affected. Bacterial destruction of a nerve causes toothache.

The disease may develop slowly or rapidly. Unless you have regular dental check ups, you may not be aware you have gum disease until your gums and bone have been so seriously damaged that tooth loss is inevitable.

Causes Of Gum Disease

Periodontal disease is caused by certain types of bacteria and starts with plaque: the sticky, colorless film of bacteria and their toxins that constantly forms on teeth. The toxins (poisons) irritate the gums and break down the attachment of gum tissues to the teeth. Over time, the toxins can destroy gum tissue allowing the infection to progress to the underlying bone.

When left on the teeth, plaque hardens into a rough porous deposit called calculus (tartar). Calculus on the tooth surface, above the gum line, may not contribute to periodontal disease, but on the root surface, below the gums, it makes the removal of newly formed plaque more difficult. Only a dentist or a dental hygienist can remove calculus deposits during a professional cleaning.

How to Avoid Gum Disease

Good oral hygiene (daily brushing and flossing) is essential to remove plaque and stop periodontal disease from beginning. If you notice that your gums are bleeding when you brush or they appear red and swollen, you may be experiencing the early stage of gum disease, which is called gingivitis.

We fully support patients with gum disease by recommending dental hygiene visits every three months to help reinforce healthy dental habits and maintain clean gums. This dental education has proven effective in helping previous patients avoid recurrence of periodontal disease.

We place special emphasis on these preventive aspects of care because early detection of gum disease, a proper diagnosis, and a gum treatment plan can prevent tooth loss.

Your teeth are intended to last a lifetime, and with good care, they can. The key to avoiding gum disease is simple: daily brushing and flossing combined with regular professional cleanings.

If you are concerned about gum disease and would like to know about our gum treatment plans, please contact Baystate Dental for a consultation in one of our Springfield, MA offices.