Gum Disease

It hides in your mouth, destroying gum tissue and teeth, and it can lead to strokes, heart attacks, and pregnancy complications. Don’t think it’s your problem? Conservative estimates report that up to 80 percent of the population unknowingly has gum disease in some form.

If your gums bleed when you brush, you may have gum disease. This stealthy villain is the leading cause of tooth loss in American adults. To protect your oral health, Dr. Tony Ratliff recommends bi-annual checkups that include teeth cleaning and periodontal treatment, when necessary.

Our skilled hygienist will gently assess your mouth’s soft tissues, checking for signs of gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease. If your gums need periodontal treatment, the hygienist may recommend scaling which removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline. A topical antibiotic, Arestin, can kill infection to help your gums heal. If you’d like to know more about periodontal treatment, click here. For severe cases of gum disease, surgical treatment may be necessary.

Call the office today if you think you may have gum disease or if your gums just hurt. Early treatment can completely eliminate this chronic disease.