gum disease treatment

Gum Disease Treatment in Chicago

Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums in which the gums become red, swollen, and sore. Gum disease is usually detected during your regular dental checkups. While regular dentists can deal with mild gum infections, you will find that your dentist may refer you to a periodontist. A periodontist is a special dentist who specializes in gum disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Check if you have these symptoms of gum disease:

  • Bleeding gums especially when you brush and floss or when you are eating hard foods
  • Red, swollen, tender gums that may or may not be painful
  • Bad breath
  • A change of taste in the mouth
  • Shrinking gums due to gum recession
  • Teeth falling out or becoming loose

When to set an emergency appointment

Set an emergency appointment if you or your child have:

  • Red and swollen gums accompanied by fever
  • A formation of pus on a tooth or around the gum area
  • Loose teeth
  • Red patches in your mouth
  • A lump in your mouth

It is good to set up an appointment directly with a periodontist if you suspect that you have gum disease. But your regular dentist can also be very helpful if you have an emergency case.

Treatments for gum disease

The treatment of gum disease is dependent on how serious it is. General dentists can treat mild gum infections but a periodontist is the best specialist to deal with matters involving your gums and jawbone.

Your specialist will examine your mouth and may take X-ray images for a better diagnosis.

If you are still in the early stages of gum disease, your specialist will:

  • Advise about keeping your teeth clean, such as using interdental brushes
  • Advise you on lifestyle habits that need to stop such as smoking
  • Perform teeth and gum cleaning

If your gum disease is already advanced, your specialist will perform periodontal treatments such as bone loss repair and gum sculpting to repair your gums. Teeth removal may be necessary in some cases.

Gum disease can be treated. Speak to our periodontist to learn more about gum disease treatments.