Gum disease is an infection that stems from a buildup of plaque and bacteria on teeth and under the gums. It quickly spreads throughout the mouth and when left untreated can lead to more serious health issues as well as tooth loss.

Hope street dental and our team offer the best care available to help your mouth and gums heal. We encourage all of our patients to take advantage of regular dental checkups and cleanings to help prevent gum disease, but when life does get in the way, we can catch an infection early and begin healing.

Early intervention can save your teeth, but we can even help those whose gum disease has progressed. A thorough exam and evaluation will help us determine the best treatment plan for you.

If you have never visited our offices before, we ask that you complete some basic paperwork before your appointment to decrease wait-times.

Knowing the different stages of gum disease can help you identify problems and be proactive. We know that sometimes dental visits can be difficult for some people due to location or budget, but we can help your visit be as stress-free as possible. The following guide describes the four stages of gum disease to help you identify problems.

Gingivitisis an early-stage infection that causes mild inflammation of the gums. Your guess may bleed while brushing and develop holes or pockets where bacteria can become trapped. Incorporate daily oral hygiene by brushing at least twice a day, along with flossing and mouthwash to help remove trapped debris. Using a water irrigation system can also help remove trapped food and bacteria to prevent further infection.

Early Stage Periodontitisis a result of deep pockets below the gum line and between teeth where bacteria can hide and lead to further infection.

Gums may pull away from teeth, causing bad breath and bleeding gums. If left untreated, mild bone damage of the jaw may occur. This stage can be healed with dental treatment to remove the buildup of plaque, calculus (hardened plaque on the teeth) and infection. Dental cleaning with scaling and polishing can help remove the hardened calculus that brushing cannot.

Moderate Periodontitis is a more advanced infection that has spread throughout the gums, connective tissue and jawbone. It may lead to teeth becoming loose and formation of an abscess, or large, painful pocket of infection on the gum. This stage of infection may require professional teeth cleaning with scaling and possible soft tissue grafting to reinforce the gum tissue. Advanced Periodontitis is a severe infection that has spread throughout the mouth and gums, deep into the gum line and jaw. Symptoms include bad breath, bleeding gums, receding gums, and drainage from the gums. This late stage of infection may require surgery for advanced tissue grafting.

If you recognise any of these symptoms, begin treatment right away. If you suspect moderate or advanced stage infection, call us right away to intervene. Limiting or stopping infection before it spreads throughout the body can protect you from heart disease and other health problems.

Gum disease or periodontitis can often be treated without surgery. Early stages are responsive to early intervention and are often discovered during a routine dental exam. The more common treatments are as follows: Simple cleaning, Deep cleaning, Advance treatment like gum graft and bone grafts.