Gum disease affects nearly half of American adults. While the adverse effects of this condition can take time to manifest themselves, they can quickly become impossible to manage without professional intervention. Whether your goal is to prevent the onset of periodontal disease or to control it, Chestnut Family Dentistry can help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation appointment.
What is Gum Disease?
Also referred to as periodontal disease, gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support the teeth. It is caused by the buildup of plaque, or a layer of thin, clear, sticky bacteria, over a prolonged period of time. While this bacteria is present to some extent on most healthy teeth, it is removed on a daily basis through proper brushing and flossing practices. And because this disease is typically painless, it often goes overlooked and untreated, especially by individuals who do not schedule annual dental cleanings.
Some of the most common warning signs of periodontal disease include:
- Gums that bleed easily and often
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath or bad taste
- Permanent teeth that have become loose
A change in the way your teeth fit together or the way your dentures feel could also be red flags for gum disease.
In its earliest stages, gum disease is referred to as gingivitis, and can be eliminated through a simple professional dental cleaning followed by daily brushing and flossing practices. But if gum disease progresses enough, the gums can begin to recede to a point where surgical intervention is necessary.
Treating Gum Disease
Gum recession is one of the most common and medically dangerous manifestations of the later stages of gum disease. In the past, treatment for gum recession used to involve soft tissue grafting that was so painful that many patients simply chose not to treat their receding gum line at all.
At Chestnut Family Dentistry, we don’t want your gum recession treatment to be traumatic if it doesn’t have to be. That’s why to employ the Chao Pinhole® technique for all of our gum recession treatments. During this procedure, a simple pinhole is made by a needle in the existing gum tissue. Through this pinhole, a skilled member of our medical staff shifts tissue from healthy gums to the receded area. Because there is no cutting and no introduction of new tissue, this procedure involves very little discomfort or downtime.
For minimally invasive gum disease treatment in the Asheville, NC area, contact Chestnut Family Dentistry today.
