Gum Disease Treatment in Fort Worth
Do your gums bleed? Not exactly a question that is often posed around the water cooler—or anywhere else for that matter—but perhaps it should be. Bleeding gums are a primary sign of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. By conservative estimates, more than 80 percent of the adult population in the United States has gum disease to some degree. So, if you have bleeding gums, Forth Worth, then stand up and be counted—and call Dr. Corbitt for gum disease treatment that will get your oral health back on track.
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a bacterial infection that at first weakens and then begins to destroy the soft tissue around your teeth—your gums—and then the underlying bone tissue that holds your teeth in place. Gum disease begins with plaque, which is that sticky and colorless film that develops in your mouth each and every day. Bacteria hide out in plaque. If not removed with daily brushing and flossing, then plaque begins to accumulate along the gum line, and the bacteria in plaque are perfectly positioned to attack your gums. After a time, the plaque turns in to tartar, a hard substance that cannot be removed without professional care.
Aside from bleeding gums, the signs of periodontal disease include:
- Red and swollen gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Gums that hurt when you brush or floss
- Receding gums, or gum tissue that seems to be shrinking away from your teeth
- Shifting or loose teeth
- Pus between your teeth and gums
- A change in the way your teeth fit together
- Dentures that no longer fit well
Treating Gum Disease in Fort Worth
If you are experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, then treatment is imperative. Gum disease is not only a threat to your oral health, but your general health, too. Diseases and illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, depression, diabetes and respiratory illness have been linked to periodontal disease.
To stop the advance of gum disease and reverse the effects, plaque and tartar must be removed. To do this, Dr. Corbitt and her dental staff in Fort Worth perform scaling and root planing, a combined procedure that removes plaque and tartar and smoothes root surfaces. If necessary, a topical antibiotic can be applied to your gums and inserted in enlarged gum pockets to eliminate more of the bacteria that cause gum disease.
Contact our office to schedule your appointment for gum disease treatment with Dr. Renee Corbitt. Our Fort Worth dental office happily serves patients from throughout the greater DFW area, including Benbrook, Haltom City, White Settlement, Forest Hill, and beyond.
