Did you know that 47.2% of Americans age 30 and older have gum disease, according to the ?
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is caused by untreated dental plaque buildup on your gums and teeth.
Dental plaque that has hardened into tartar can only be removed by one of our Grand Rapids dentists.
Stages of Gum Disease
There are two different types of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease.
While gingivitis can be reversed by adopting a healthy oral hygiene routine and having teeth professionally cleaned every six months, there is no cure for periodontal disease. Advanced periodontal disease can lead to receding gums, tooth loss, and even jawbone deterioration.
How We Treat Gingivitis
Gingivitis can be reversed, which is why it’s important to schedule a professional teeth cleaning with your dentist every six months.
To reverse gingivitis, brush twice a day and floss daily!
During a teeth cleaning, we remove plaque and tartar from your smile so you can maintain good oral health. To reverse gingivitis, our dentist will also recommend you improve your oral hygiene routine by brushing twice a day and flossing once daily.
How We Treat Periodontal Disease
Our dentists can slow the damaging effects of periodontal disease through scaling and root planing. Patients with periodontal disease tend to have deep gum pockets around teeth that collect plaque and food particles. During the scaling and root planing procedure, our dentist removes plaque trapped beneath the gum line and smoothes out tooth roots.
Schedule an Appointment
Our Grand Rapids, MI, preventative dentists are able to recognize the early signs of gum disease so you can maintain a healthy, beautiful smile. Call GR Family Dental today at (616) 455-3020, or contact us online to request an appointment.