Gum Disease Treatment in Nashville
Periodontal disease is a common and often undiagnosed oral health condition that can lead to tooth loss and contribute to several other significant health issues.
- Depending on age, 50-75% of American adults have some form of gum disease.
- Periodontal disease increases inflammatory markers throughout your entire body and increases your risk of systemic issues like heart attack, stroke, cancer, dementia, diabetes, and more.
- Safeguard the foundation of your oral health with effective treatment.
Gum disease affects more than just your gums and teeth. Modern research constantly shows us how interconnected the mouth and the rest of the body are. Part of our commitment to addressing whole-body health is understanding how interrelated gum disease is to many other systemic illnesses and risk factors.
The two main components that we’re looking at when we’re evaluating what’s going on in your mouth that can negatively affect your overall health is gum disease and infected teeth. So Gum disease can have two different components: Gingivitis and Periodontitis. Gingivitis is reversible inflammation of your gum tissue that is caused by the bacteria and plaque. It creates inflammation which leads to bleeding, but it’s reversible which means we can make it go away and there’s no long term damage that’s taken place. Periodontal disease is where you’ve actually lost bone. That infection has progressed. It’s been more longstanding or more aggressive in its destruction. So when we look at X-rays of the teeth we see that bone levels have receded. So you’ve lost anchoring support that keeps your teeth stable.While that in and of itself is a concern, the bigger issue is that inflammation caused by the bacteria that creates the disease is entering your bloodstream. So whether it is gum disease, whether it is infected teeth that are actually abscessed, bacteria is at the root of all of that. The bacteria is getting into your circulatory system. So when you see all the headlines about how gum disease is connected to cardiovascular disease, heart attack risk, stroke risk, type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, all the litany of research that is coming out right now is connected to how that infection is creating chronic inflammation and inflammation is the key to all of this. So treating gum disease is really about ridding our bodies of inflammation just as much as it is about making our mouths themselves healthier.
The ways to treat gum disease depend on which type of gum disease you actually have. Gingivitis is a reversible inflammation of the tissue that is really just based on plaque staying along the gum line. So, regardless of whether you’re using certain types of toothpastes or rinse, it really comes down to removing that biofilm consistently. As that plaque goes away, the tissue is going to heal, the inflammation is going to go away, the bleeding is going to stop and there won’t be a continued destructive nature to the disease. Gum disease that has transitioned into Periodontitis where we’ve seen bone destruction and attachment loss from the tissue, that treatment is going to be more involved. And there is different levels of severity of it, but more or less your treatment is going to consist of having in-office work done as well as what you’re doing at home. So in the office we’re using ultrasonics, lasers, ozonated water, different ways to disrupt the buildup of bacteria and biofilm below the guideline. At home, you’re going to be using electric toothbrushes, water picks, flossing, certain types of rinse or gel products that are usually going to contain an essential oil or be peroxide-based to be disrupting the bacteria while you’re in between visits. But the connection between your in-office and at-home recur program are going to be important because you can’t keep periodontal disease from being destructive just by going to the dentist. You can’t just do it at home. There’s got to be a teamwork focus between you and your dental care provider to keep that inflammatory process in remission so you’re not continuing to experience destruction of bone levels, bleeding of gum tissue or the inflammation that results from it.
Uncontrolled infection in the mouth creates an inflammatory burden in the body, putting you at risk of systemic illnesses like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, dementia, and arthritis. Nashville Restorative Dentistry recognizes the consequences of periodontal disease, and that’s why Drs. Ryan Jones and Caleb Estes focus on gum disease treatment in Nashville, Tennessee to help you maintain a healthy mouth, body, and smile.
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal or gum disease is an inflammatory infection caused by harmful bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria in dental plaque cause inflammation of the gum tissues when left undisturbed for long enough. At the earliest reversible stage, this gum inflammation causes a condition called gingivitis. Gingivitis is the earliest and mildest form of gum disease. It causes mild symptoms, including tenderness, redness, swelling, and bleeding, especially when brushing and flossing.
Failure to treat gum disease at early stages can have serious consequences. If gingivitis is not addressed, it can progress to periodontitis, an irreversible loss of bone around a tooth. In this stage, the bacterial infection has progressed further below the gum line, causing the gum tissue to pull away (recede) from the teeth, which forms deeper periodontal pockets. This can cause the loss of tooth-supporting bone and the connective tissue attachment to the tooth roots. If this process continues without intervention, it will result in tooth mobility and can even lead to tooth loss.
The mouth-body connection: Why does it matter for gum disease?
Modern research has shown the interconnectedness between oral health and overall wellness. When you have oral disease, we don’t treat it as a localized issue. We understand it can have far-reaching effects on your entire body.
If you come to NRD for periodontal disease treatment, we thoroughly assess your oral health and overall well-being. We consider your medical history, lifestyle factors, and any underlying health conditions that could be contributing to or exacerbated by your oral disease.
Dr. Jones and Estes educate you about the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene and its impact on overall health. Understanding the oral-systemic connection empowers you to manage your health proactively.
How does NRD treat periodontal disease?
Our office uses a conservative approach to gum disease treatment. Gingivitis is reversible with good oral hygiene and regular dental cleanings, including Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT). GBT is a minimally invasive procedure that effectively removes biofilm and inflammation-causing bacteria.
We treat mild to moderate gum disease with non-surgical periodontal disease therapy. This treatment focuses on cleaning below the gumline. It uses piezo and ultrasonic equipment, along with GBT therapy, to remove calcified deposits of tartar and destroy as much biofilm and bacterial toxins as possible in the periodontal pockets. After pocket debridement, we use ozone, a potent antimicrobial agent, to disinfect the treatment area. Ozone therapy can assist in destroying the bacteria in the biofilm to eradicate pathogens and slow down re-colonization.
Your periodontal disease treatment may also include Oral DNA saliva testing. This cutting-edge diagnostic tool identifies harmful bacteria in the mouth that contribute to gum disease and other oral health conditions. This non-invasive test provides valuable insights into your oral microbiome, allowing tailored treatment for the specific bacteria causing issues in your mouth. Targeted antibiotic therapy avoids a one-size-fits-all approach and reduces antibiotic resistance.
In some cases, we also utilize adjunct therapies like PerioProtect trays to aid treatment and maintain gum health. These custom-designed trays treat gum infection by targeting the bacteria far below the gumline. The trays are filled with the peroxide gel. The gel is hydraulically forced into the deep pockets when the trays are pressed down onto your teeth. This gets the peroxide to where the bacteria is and eliminates the infection-causing microbes.
Is gum disease preventable?
As a holistic dental office, we focus on a comprehensive approach to oral health that addresses gum disease’s symptoms and root causes. You can minimize your likelihood of dealing with gum disease by:
- Brush and floss your teeth diligently – if the biofilm is removed, it can’t cause inflammation
- Supplement your home routine with good products that help you manage the biofilm
- Honor bi-annual dental exams and cleanings so problems (if any) are caught early
- Don’t smoke, vape, or use other tobacco products
- Manage immune-suppressing conditions like diabetes
- Maintain a healthy diet with good nutrient support and use supplements where needed
- Consider oral probiotics as a way to promote a healthy mix of bacteria in your mouth
Are you concerned about your gum health?
Nashville Restorative Dentistry provides gum disease treatment tailored to your needs. Whether you have mild or severe gum disease, our team will personalize your treatment to achieve optimal periodontal health. Call (615) 640-8494 to get started.
FAQs
What are the signs and symptoms of gum disease?
Gum disease often begins with signs like redness, swelling, and bleeding gums when brushing or flossing. You may experience persistent symptoms like bad breath, sore gums, gum recession, sensitivity, and even loose teeth as it progresses and bone support is lost around the teeth. In advanced cases, gum abscesses may develop and teeth may begin to shift and develop gaps between them. Early detection and treatment is crucial, as untreated gum disease can lead to significant oral and systemic health complications. Regular preventative care visits at Nashville Restorative Dentistry can help maintain your tooth and gum health and prevent gum disease from being a destructive factor in your oral health.
How is gum disease diagnosed?
Gum disease is diagnosed through a comprehensive dental exam, including a visual assessment of inflammation and bleeding, measurement of gum pockets, and X-rays to check for bone loss. If you exhibit symptoms like bleeding gums, inflammation, or deep gum pockets, our hygiene team at Nashville Restorative Dentistry will develop a personalized treatment plan to address the chronic inflammation, restore tissue health, and increase your odds to prevent future disease progression. Early detection can prevent irreversible damage and bone loss.
What treatments are available for gum disease?
Treatment needs depend on severity or progression of the disease. Mild cases like reversible gum inflammation (called gingivitis) can often be treated with professional cleanings, biofilm management techniques, and improved home care products, tools, and routine. More advanced cases that have created irreversible gum or bone changes may require more in depth treatment. These treatments can include ultrasonic cleaning into the deeper pockets to remove calculus and destructive biofilm, ozone therapy, antimicrobial treatments, and oral probiotics. In the most advanced cases, surgical intervention may be needed to restore gum and bone health or the teeth may need to be removed if the bone loss is too severe to stabilize the teeth. At Nashville Restorative Dentistry, we design treatment to effectively manage and improve gum health, helping you maintain healthy gums, teeth, and lower systemic risk.
Can gum disease be cured?
Early-stage gum disease (gingivitis) is reversible with proper home care and professional cleanings. More advanced gum disease (periodontitis) can only be managed, not cured, as the bone loss is irreversible. Regular dental care, including periodontal disease treatment, in-office ultrasonic and ozone treatment, and a solid oral hygiene routine at home, all help manage the disease and reduce the risk of further damage. Our hygiene team provides ongoing support to help you maintain healthy gums and avoid complications like chronic inflammation, bleeding, bone loss, and tooth loss.
What is ozone therapy, and how does it help with gum disease?
Ozone therapy is a natural and effective antimicrobial treatment created in-office using just oxygen. It is used to destroy bacteria and promote healing in gum disease treatment. Ozone helps disinfect deep gum pockets, reduce inflammation, improve oxygen circulation, and support gum tissue reattachment. This approach enhances gum health while reducing the need for surgery or antibiotics. At Nashville Restorative Dentistry, ozone therapy is part of our regular preventative care cleanings as well as all of our periodontal treatment and maintenance care plans.
What happens if gum disease is left untreated?
Serious problems with oral and systemic health can result from untreated gum disease. In the mouth you can encounter sore or bleeding gums, gum recession, bone loss, and loose teeth that may eventually require removal. If a case of periodontal disease progresses far enough, it may be possible that all of a patient’s teeth would need to be removed. Periodontal disease and the chronic infection and inflammation that results from it have been consistently linked to a growing number of systemic health issues including: diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, dementia, and certain types of cancer. Seeking treatment at Nashville Restorative Dentistry can help you prevent these outcomes, preserve your natural teeth, and support long-term well being.
How can I prevent gum disease from coming back?
Preventing gum disease requires professional care as well as an effective at home oral hygiene care plan. Effective brushing, flossing or waterflosser use, and using a properly formulated oral probiotic can help prevent the biofilm from accumulating, maturing, and becoming destructive. Regular periodontal maintenance visits and check-ups allow for early detection and intervention if inflammation is returning. Lifestyle factors like a healthy diet, avoiding tobacco, and managing conditions like diabetes also play a role in maintaining optimal gum health.
