Gum Disease Specialist
Family & Cosmetic Dentistry located in Ohio
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Office Location
101 South Washington Street
45869 New Bremen, OH, US
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New Bremen Smiles
Gum disease, is a common oral health condition impacting nearly half of adults over 30 in the United States. If you experience red, inflamed, aching gums or other symptoms of gum disease, Dr. Geoffrey Froning, DDS, and his team provide scaling and root planing and other treatments for gum illnesses. Contact New Bremen Smiles to discover more or book a consultation online today.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is an infection in your gum tissue, which can lead to more serious issues. Untreated gum disease can lead to tooth loss, which is why seeking early treatment is so important. Gum disease is caused by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that can build up on poorly cared for teeth.
What are the symptoms of gum disease?
Gum disease can sometimes be painless, so you may not even know you have it. Regular dental cleanings and exams are important because they allow it to be discovered and treated early.
The following symptoms are associated with gum disease, especially as it reaches more advanced stages:
- Red, swollen gums
- Tender gums
- Bleeding gums
- A receding gum line
- Bad breath
- Loose permanent teeth
- Changes in your bite
- Tooth shifting
- Painful chewing
What are the risk factors for gum disease?
Some people are more likely to develop gum disease than others. The following factors increase your risk:
- Poor brushing and flossing habits
- Skipping professional cleanings
- Smoking or using tobacco
- Genetics
- Crooked teeth
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy
- Some medications
To help diagnose gum disease, we’ll review your dental history and perform a dental examination. We’ll measures the pocket depth of your gums and takes dental x-rays to check for bone loss or other potential problems.
What is the treatment for gum disease?
Gum disease treatments vary with how severe your condition is. Dr. Froning might recommend:
At-home care
Proper at-home care is important for reversing or preventing gum disease. Dr. Froning and his team recommend certain toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouth rinses, or brushing techniques to treat gum disease at home in addition to regular professional cleanings.
Scaling
Scaling eliminates tartar and bacteria from the surface of teeth and underneath the gums. Sometimes a laser or ultrasonic device can be used to completely clean your mouth and decrease signs of gum disease.
Root planing
Root planing smooths out any exposed tooth root surfaces, preventing further plaque and tartar buildup. Removing the byproducts of the bacteria buildup can help speed up recovery from inflammation.
Oral or topical antibiotics
Dr. Froning may prescribe oral or topical antibiotics, such as professional-strength mouth washes or gels, to control bacterial infections associated with gum disease.
Surgical treatments
In cases of gum disease that are more serious, surgery might be the best option to restore your gums and smile. Dr. Froning may recommend pocket reduction surgery (flap surgery) to allow more precise scaling and root planing. Soft tissue grafts, bone grafts, guided tissue regeneration, or tissue-stimulating proteins are other potential options that can help.
We’ll review the risks and benefits of each procedure with you and lets you know which one best matches your needs based on the severity of your condition.
Don’t let gum disease ruin your smile. Call New Bremen Smiles to schedule an appointment or book one online today.
Bridge placement
Receiving a bridge is a multiple-step process. Instead of making a mold of just one tooth like when fitting a crown, Dr. Froning will prepare two more teeth surrounding the missing tooth, then create a mold from all of them together, ensuring a snug and comfortable fit.
Then you will receive a dental implant to secure your bridge in place. Depending on the complexity of your bridge, you may receive temporary crowns to wear while the dental lab creates your permanent bridge. Then, during a follow-up appointment, the permanent bridge will be secured into place.
Dental bridges and crowns can last longer than a decade, as they are made of gold, alloys, porcelain, or combinations of these materials.
How should I care for crowns and bridges?
You’ll care for crowns and bridges as you would with natural teeth, by regularly brushing and flossing and attending dental visits.
When you’re tired of damaged or missing teeth ruining your beautiful smile, schedule an appointment by phone or online today.