Gum Disease Specialist

We Care 4U Dental Center

Raquel J. Pagan, DDS

Family & General Dentist located in Silver Spring, MD

Gum disease is a serious oral health concern that’s known to develop “silently,” meaning many people don’t realize they have it until it’s already in its more advanced stages. Raquel Pagan, DDS, at We Care 4U Dental Center in Silver Spring, Maryland, can monitor and treat your gum disease to ensure that your smile stays beautiful and healthy. Get started today by calling the office or booking an appointment online.

202-932-7254

Gum Disease Q & A

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is a condition that affects your gum tissue when plaque and tartar are left to build up on your teeth for too long. Plaque and tartar contain bacteria and acids that are harmful to your gums and can cause irritation, infection, and deterioration.

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States, and it can lead to other health problems as well

What are the different stages of gum disease?

There are two stages of gum disease:

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease. With gingivitis, the plaque and tartar on your teeth begin to irritate your gum tissue, which consequently becomes tender and inflamed. Your gums might look swollen and bleed when you brush them.

The effects of gingivitis are entirely reversible, however, with improved at-home care and more frequent professional cleanings.

Periodontitis

If gingivitis is left to progress, it becomes periodontitis. When you have periodontitis, your gums are so irritated from the plaque and tartar on your teeth that they respond by pulling away from the irritants and recede.

This recession creates “pockets” between your teeth and gums that collect debris, which irritates your gum tissue even further, causing your gums to pull away even more. This cycle continues until the structures supporting your teeth are completely eroded, leaving your teeth to fall out.

What are the symptoms of gum disease?

Some common symptoms of gum disease include:

Gums that are red, tender, or swollen
Bleeding when you brush your teeth
Receding gums or the appearance of longer teeth
A persistent bad taste in your mouth or bad breath
A change in how your bite feels

The symptoms of gum disease tend to develop subtly. Many patients don’t even realize that they have the disease until it’s already progressed into its later stages.

Dr. Pagan and the team at We Care 4U Dental Center are trained to spot signs of gum disease in its earliest stages, which is why it’s so important to maintain regular checkups and cleanings.

How do you treat gum disease?

If your gum disease is still in the gingivitis stage, Dr. Pagan can treat it with more frequent professional cleanings and teach you how to take better care of your smile at home.

If your gum disease progresses to periodontitis, there are a number of treatments that Dr. Pagan offers to get your smile healthy again, including:

Scaling and root planing
Pocket reduction or flap surgery
Soft tissue graft

To learn more about the high-quality gum disease treatments, schedule a visit today by calling We Care 4U Dental Center or booking online.

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