Our Holyoke Dentists Can Protect Your Smile
You may think keeping up with your oral hygiene is enough to prevent oral diseases. However, even with impeccable habits, there’s still a risk of developing gum disease. Protecting your gums is essential to maintaining a healthy smile. Gum disease is very common and can degrade your oral and overall health. At Holyoke Mall Dental, we want to ensure your gums are healthy and strong enough to last for years. By scheduling your biannual visits, we can help prevent and catch the early signs of gum disease.
Our Holyoke dentists proudly provide comprehensive dentistry services to patients in Holyoke and surrounding areas, such as Westfield, Southampton, Springfield, and South Hadley, MA. Looking for a dentist near you in Hampden County? Contact our Holyoke dental practice near you at (413) 538-7400 to schedule your dental appointment today! Learn more about the causes and symptoms of gum disease and what we can do to help you.
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection of the gums that gradually destroys the support of your natural teeth. Dental plaque is the primary cause of gum disease.
Bacteria found in plaque produce toxins or poisons that irritate the gums, which may cause them to turn red, swell, and bleed easily. If this irritation is prolonged, the gums separate from the teeth, causing pockets (spaces) to form. This allows bacteria and infections to enter the pockets and thrive. As the gum disease progresses, the supporting gum tissue and bone that hold teeth in place deteriorate. If left untreated, this leads to tooth loss, receding gums, and tooth decay.
Why Choose Holyoke Mall Dental for Gum Disease Treatment
At Holyoke Mall Dental, Dr. Eric Chen and our experienced team provide comprehensive gum disease treatment using advanced techniques and personalized care plans. We focus on early detection through regular examinations and offer effective treatments like scaling and root planing to restore your gum health. Our preventative approach helps catch gum disease in its early stages when it’s most treatable.
With flexible financing options and insurance coordination, we make essential gum disease treatment accessible for patients throughout Holyoke, Westfield, Southampton, and South Hadley. Our commitment to patient education ensures you have the tools and knowledge needed to maintain healthy gums for life.
Do you believe you’re suffering from gum disease? Contact our Holyoke dental practice at (413) 538-7400 to schedule your dental appointment today.
Gum Disease Symptoms
These are the symptoms of gum disease:
- Receding gumline
- Swollen and inflamed gums
- Tooth sensitivity
- Bad breath
- Tender and bleeding gums
If you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms, call our Holyoke office at (413) 538-7400 to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
Stages of Gum Disease
Gum disease doesn’t happen at once—the disease progresses over time. There are two primary stages of gum disease:
- Gingivitis: This is the first stage and can be reversed if caught early. You most likely won’t experience any pain or discomfort except for red swelling and inflamed gums.
- Periodontitis: If gingivitis is left untreated, it can progress to a more serious stage called periodontitis. The bones and tissue that support your teeth begin to wear down. You’ll experience severe pain, tooth loss, and other symptoms.
Causes of Gum Disease
Oral hygiene is what matters the most, but what you do daily contributes to the likelihood of gum disease. There are important factors that affect the health of your gums, such as:
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Stress
- Medication
- Poor nutrition
- Clenching and grinding teeth
- Dry mouth from high blood sugar
Gum Disease Treatment in Holyoke
The best way to prevent gum disease is effective daily brushing and flossing, as well as regular professional examinations and cleanings at our Holyoke office. Alas, even with the most diligent home dental care, people still can develop some form of periodontal disease. Once this disease starts, professional intervention is necessary to prevent its progress.
If you come into our office at the gingivitis stage, we can treat it using the scaling and root planing process. This is the deep cleaning process that involves using small, specialized dental tools to remove the excess plaque and tartar from your teeth, gums, and below the gumline. After the scaling is done, Dr. Chen will make sure your roots are planed, or smoothed, to prevent bacterial growth and make the gums reattach to the bones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Holyoke dentists recommend staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, limiting sugar intake, brushing gently to prevent gum recession, and rinsing with warm salt water after meals. Regular professional cleanings are also essential.
Gingivitis can be reversed with proper treatment and improved oral hygiene. However, once gum disease progresses to periodontitis, it can be managed and controlled, but requires ongoing professional care and excellent home hygiene to prevent further deterioration.
Patients with gum disease typically need more frequent cleanings than the standard twice-yearly schedule. Our Holyoke dentists may recommend cleanings every three to four months to effectively manage the condition and prevent progression.
Most insurance companies cover a portion of gum disease treatment costs. We encourage you to speak with your insurance provider about your coverage. Holyoke Mall Dental also offers flexible financing options so you don’t have to delay necessary treatment.
Get Your Smile Back With Your Local Holyoke Dentist
The team at Holyoke Mall Dental will do everything to find the best treatment for all your dental needs. With our preventative care, you’ll be able to smile freely and restore your oral health. To learn more about our preventative care or to schedule your appointment, call our Holyoke dental office at (413) 538-7400 today. Our Holyoke dentists proudly provide comprehensive dentistry services to patients in Holyoke and surrounding areas, such as Westfield, Southampton, Springfield, and South Hadley, MA.