Periodontal Disease in Saratoga Springs, NY

Periodontal (gum) disease is an inflammation in the gums, which may result in critical damage to your oral health. There are three stages of gum disease, which range from mild to advanced. The first stage is gingivitis, which is brought on by plaque buildup under the gumline. If not treated, gingivitis can develop into the next stage, known as periodontitis, which impacts the fibers and bone that support your tooth roots. Advanced periodontitis is the final stage of periodontal disease, which may cause teeth to become loose or fall out. To take care of periodontal disease, Saratoga Springs Family Dentistry offers both surgical and nonsurgical treatments depending on the seriousness of the disease, such as antibiotics, scaling and root planing, gum grafts, gum surgery, as well as extractions. If you are seeing signs of an infection, contact our Saratoga Springs, NY office to schedule an exam.

Healthy gums should not bleed, even when brushing or flossing. If you notice bleeding, it could be an early warning sign of periodontal disease. Other common signs and symptoms of periodontal disease include:

• Loose teeth
• New spacing between teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Pus around the teeth and gums
• Receding gums
• Red and swollen gums
• Tenderness and discomfort

When diagnosing periodontal disease, our dentists assess several factors. First, they measure the depth of the periodontal pockets around each tooth. Healthy pockets are less than 3mm deep; anything deeper indicates bone loss, with more severe cases leading to loose teeth.

They also evaluate gum recession, which exposes sensitive roots and can cause tooth looseness. By combining pocket depth and recession, they calculate attachment loss, with higher numbers meaning a worse prognosis.

X-rays help detect bone loss, either localized or throughout the mouth, and reveal root issues that may affect healing. Bleeding during probing is another key sign of gum inflammation, which impacts overall health.

Based on these factors, the dentist can diagnose:

• Gingivitis: Early gum disease causing tender, inflamed, and bleeding gums.
• Early-Moderate Periodontitis: Plaque hardens into tartar, leading to gum recession, increased bleeding, and visible bone loss.
• Advanced Periodontitis: Severe bone loss, loose teeth, heavy bleeding, pain, and bad breath due to extensive gum and ligament damage.

Periodontal treatment varies based on the type and severity of the disease. Our dental team evaluates each patient individually, considering factors like diabetes or tobacco use, and tailors a treatment plan accordingly. Maintaining good oral hygiene, a balanced diet, and regular dental checkups can help reduce the risk of periodontal disease.

For early-stage gingivitis, a thorough cleaning, home care guidance, dietary review, and six-month follow-up visits are typically recommended.

For more advanced cases, scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) is often required. This involves two visits with anesthesia to ensure comfort, starting with a gross debridement to remove calculus, followed by scaling and planing to smooth root surfaces and promote gum healing. Additional treatments like medications, mouth rinses, or electric toothbrushes may be advised to control infection.

Since periodontal disease is managed rather than cured, we recommend coming to our Saratoga Springs, NY office for cleanings every 3 – 4 months for maintenance. If pockets don't heal, surgery may be necessary, and we work closely with specialists for more complex cases.

Periodontal disease cannot be cured – it can only be controlled and managed. Without surgical treatment, the damage caused by moderate to advanced periodontal disease will not heal on its own. However, with consistent homecare and regular periodontal maintenance visits, the condition can be kept stable. After completing your periodontal treatment, we recommend scheduling dental cleanings four times a year. During these follow-up exams, your periodontal pockets will be closely monitored to ensure they stay healthy. Any plaque and calculus that are hard to remove at home will be cleaned from both above and below the gumline, and any persistent problem areas will be treated.

Can periodontal disease be cured or reversed?

If caught in the early stages of gingivitis, periodontal disease can be reversed. If gingivitis isn't treated and continues to progress into periodontal disease, it can no longer be reversed or cured, only managed. That's why at Saratoga Springs Family Dentistry, we stress the importance of good oral hygiene and regular dental exams.

What can happen if periodontal disease is left untreated?

If periodontal disease goes unchecked and untreated, it can often lead to serious oral health issues like infection, inflammation, soft tissue damage, bone loss, and tooth loss.

Is there a link between gum disease and other diseases?

A number of extensive studies have shown that several diseases can be linked to periodontal disease, including:

• Heart disease
• Alzheimer's disease
• Bacterial pneumonia
• Diabetes
• Stroke
• Low birth weight

Periodontal disease can cause more damage if you don't get the correct treatment, so it is important to seek help as soon as symptoms occur. At Saratoga Springs Family Dentistry, we work with you to restore your gums and prevent future infections. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled dentists, contact our office in Saratoga Springs, NY.