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Periodontitis, or periodontal disease, develops when the bacteria on your teeth and gums is not removed with regular brushing, flossing, and professional teeth cleanings by your family dentist. The first signs of early-stage gum disease (or gingivitis) are swollen, tender gums that bleed easily, painful chewing, tooth sensitivity, and bad breath. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact Trillium Dental to schedule an appointment in Ottawa, or continue reading to learn more.

GINGIVITIS TREATMENTS

We are fortunate to live in a time where dental technology is quite advanced and dental treatments are becoming more widely available. Thanks to these technological advancements, many patients with gingivitis can reverse their symptoms with thorough brushing and flossing in addition to thorough dental cleanings. Not only that, but today’s dentists are now able to offer the following gingivitis treatments for patients who are exhibiting mild gum disease:

• Root planing. Root planing, or root scaling, is a dental technique that your dentist uses to scrape plaque and tartar away from the gum line during your teeth cleaning appointment. Over time, bacteria turns to plaque, which calcifies into hard, sticky tartar that can only be removed via root planing. If ignored, tartar eats away at the tooth enamel and causes inflammation of the surrounding gum tissue, which leads to gum disease. However, when tartar is professionally removed, it gives the teeth and gums a chance to heal.
• Gum lasering. Gum lasering is the next step in treating gingivitis. This non-invasive dental treatment involves lasers killing the bacteria along the gum line as well as removing any dead or diseased tissue. By ridding the area of disease, this method encourages the gums to reattach to the surrounding teeth rather than continuing to recede. Gum lasering can also reduce your chances of having to undergo a more extensive gum disease procedure down the line, like periodontal surgery.
• Crown lengthening. Crown lengthening procedures are performed if the surrounding teeth do not have enough surface space for the gums to attach to (as is often the case for patients with a “gummy smile”). Sometimes, this happens when teeth are broken or if a dental filling comes undone, leaving a damaged or decayed tooth exposed. If this is the case, your dentist will use a laser to contour the gums in order to expose more of the tooth surface so that the gums can reattach themselves to a clean, bacteria-free surface.

It is important to note that these gingivitis treatments are not meant to recover bone loss and may not fully restore the gum tissue that holds the teeth in place. This is where more involved periodontal treatments come into play, which aim to remove dead tissue, prevent further damage, and help the mouth tissue start to heal.

Read More: Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

ERIODONTAL TREATMENTS

Periodontal treatments are for patients who have moderate to severe cases of gum disease that require more extensive procedures. Often, these treatments involve oral surgery with local anesthesia, so patients typically have a longer recovery time. One of the main periodontal treatments used today is called a gingivectomy, which is a surgical procedure that involves the complete removal of dead gum tissue. Periodontal disease is harder to reverse in severe cases, but this is a good option for patients who are willing to commit to establishing a better oral health care routine with frequent trips to the dentist for professional teeth cleanings.

BOOK A GUM DISEASE TREATMENT IN OTTAWA

The longer your gum disease symptoms persist, the harder they will be to treat and reverse. If you think you are developing any of the symptoms listed in the beginning of this post, we highly recommend that you visit our family dental clinic right away. Contact us by phone, or book an appointment online at one of our eight dental offices in Ottawa.

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Tooth infections are common among dental patients who don’t brush and floss their teeth as diligently as they should, resulting in cavities, infections, and tooth decay. Patients who have broken or cracked teeth are also susceptible to developing a tooth infection in the underlying “pulp,” which is treated via a root canal procedure. In this blog post, our endodontists will discuss some of the main warning signs you might need a root canal, as well as the importance of seeking treatment rather than ignoring the problem. Click here to find a Trillium Dental office near you, or book an appointment at one of our Ottawa dental clinics Online

TOOTHACHES

Toothaches aren’t always a cause for concern, but if you experience long, painful toothaches that don’t subside on their own, you may have a tooth infection on your hands. Lots of patients first notice that something is wrong if they experience moderate to severe pain when chewing, brushing, and clenching their teeth. If you are dealing with persistence toothaches, it’s best to make an appointment with your family dentist as soon as possible to see what’s going on. Your dentist may find that you have a tooth fracture, a damaged tooth filling, or a decaying, abscessed tooth that requires a root canal.

Read More: Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

TOOTH SENSITIVITY

Everyone is built differently, so some people’s teeth are more sensitive than others. However, persistent or extreme tooth sensitivity is never something that should be ignored, as this can be an indication of many different dental problems. People with tooth infections often experience tooth sensitivity when drinking a hot or cold beverage, which often lingers afterward. This level of tooth sensitivity is not normal and should be addressed immediately by your family dentist. In some instances, this can be a sign of receding gums, which are treatable, or you might be dealing with something more serious that needs to be addressed immediately. Depending on the state of your teeth, your dentist may recommend that you schedule a root canal procedure within the next few days.

TOOTH DISCOLORATION

Root canals are caused by an underlying infection in the tooth’s nerve, the pulpy center that makes up the tooth’s support system. If left unaddressed, the bacteria in this pocket begins to fester, causing further decay that can weaken the tooth to the point where repair is no longer an option. Not only that, but the tooth may become brown or gray in color (commonly referred to as a “dead tooth”), which may need to be extracted and replaced with a dental implant, dental bridge, or some other kind of permanent dental restoration. It is important to schedule a checkup with your dentist as soon as you notice any degree of tooth discoloration, as this could be a sign that you have a tooth infection and need a root canal.

SWELLING GUMS

Another common indication of an infected tooth is painful, swelling gums near the tooth. Though the infection may have begun inside your tooth, it can spread to the surrounding tissue, causing your gums to feel and appear infected. Swollen, painful gums that bleed or pus easily are also a sign of periodontal disease, so it is imperative that you have your family dentist check them out as soon as possible. Odds are, you’ll need a root canal or a periodontal treatment to eliminate the bacteria from the site, which we are more than happy to take care of here at Trillium Dental.

MOUTH SORES

Mouth ulcers can be an indication of many things, including oral cancer, oral herpes, and tooth infections. While canker sores typically go away on their own, it is not normal to have a recurring sore directly on your gums. Take this as a sign your body is trying to give you that something isn’t right, and that it might be time to contact your family dentist to book an appointment. While there is a chance that it could be nothing (canker sores are harmless and can be caused by vigorous tooth brushing, braces, dentures, acidic foods, or a mouth injury), it’s best to address these types of dental problems as soon as possible so they don’t become even worse.

BOOK A ROOT CANAL AT ONE OF OUR DENTAL CLINICS IN OTTAWA

If you are experiencing any of the infected tooth symptoms listed above, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with your family dentist immediately. Our endodontists would be happy to examine your teeth and gums in order to determine whether you need a root canal, gum disease treatment, or no treatment at all. We believe that your oral health should be your number one priority, and we’re here to help you get the quality dental care you need to stay healthy. Contact Trillium Dental today, or visit one of our dental offices in Ottawa!

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