Dental Hygiene / Periodontal
Gum Disease Treatment in Downtown Seattle
Treat Gingivitis & Periodontal Disease at Seattle Dental Associates
Do you have concerns about gum disease? Millions of people are affected and don’t even know it. The dental profession calls gum disease the “silent infection.” The symptoms do not appear until the disease reaches an advanced stage. If you don’t treat it in a timely manner, gum disease could lead to tooth loss. At Seattle Dental Associates, we are downtown Seattle’s premier choice for comprehensive gum disease treatment.
While many people may think it’s normal to see blood in the sink every time they brush or floss their teeth, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Bleeding gums could be a sign of gingivitis or even periodontitis, in which case, you should make an appointment with an experienced dental hygienist. Our team is here to offer our full support, so you don’t have to deal with bleeding, swollen, or receding gums that could potentially turn into more severe health issues down the road. Let our highly-rated dental team help you today!
Gum Disease Treatment
We offer non-surgical, cost-effective options to treat your gum disease. These procedures address most cases of infection. In cases of severe gum disease, surgery is needed to restore optimum oral and periodontal health. The first and most important way to help reverse periodontal disease is by implementing an oral hygiene routine. This includes brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and visiting the dentist at least twice a year for routine checkups and cleanings. For gingivitis, we may need to prescribe topical antiseptics.
Since periodontitis is more severe, you may need a deep cleaning to remove the plaque and tartar buildup below the gum line. Extremely severe cases require more extensive treatment solutions, like dental surgery. Fortunately, periodontal disease can resolve if caught early and with treatment from our trained hygienists. It’s up to you to follow through on their oral hygiene routine, but, of course, we’ll be there to support you every step of the way with our professional treatment and care.
Causes of Periodontal Disease
To understand the importance of treating gum issues, it’s helpful to know exactly how periodontal disease comes about. Gum disease is caused by bacteria found in plaque. These bacteria love to feed on sugars in foods and beverages we consume and produce toxins that irritate the gums. If left untreated, plaque buildup can harden into calculus or tartar, which encourages the gums to pull away from the teeth. Things like low vitamin intake, a high sugar diet, improper brushing and flossing, and not getting regular dental hygiene checkups all promote periodontal disease.
At Seattle Dental Associates, our dental hygienist can provide you with insight into the state of your oral health and offer advice for reversing gum disease. One of the best ways to avoid periodontal disease is to visit our office for routine cleanings and understand the factors that make some people more likely to develop complicated gum infections. These can include:
- Having diabetes
- Being pregnant
- Genetic factors
- Crooked or overcrowded teeth
- Poor oral hygiene
- The use of certain medications, such as steroids, some anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, oral contraceptives, and some calcium channel blockers.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Periodontal disease can destroy the underlying structure that supports your teeth in the jawbone, allowing teeth to become so loose over time that extraction is the only choice. Don’t let this happen to your smile! If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may be dealing with a gum infection or disease that requires immediate attention from our team.
The most common gum disease symptoms, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, are:
- Bad breath that won’t go away
- Red and swollen gum
- Tender and bleeding gums
- Painful chewing
- Loose teeth
- Sensitive teeth
- Receding gums
Schedule Your Appointment Today!
Whether you are worried about periodontal disease or simply want to ask a few questions about proper dental hygiene, our friendly dental team is always happy to help. We have ample experience slowing and even reversing the effects of periodontal disease and restoring patients’ gums to optimal health. Your oral wellness is always our number one priority, and we go above and beyond to ensure you receive the very best dentistry services Seattle has to offer.
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What Our Patients Are Saying
Read what our clients have said about what left them smiling whenever they leave our office!
Dr. Baker and his staff are such a warm welcome when you are going in for a Dental Appointment. They take their time with the cleanings and are very proactive in making sure that your teeth are in tip-top shape. I have had over 5 cavities filled with them and I feel like it is a painless experience and that their prices are definitely not inflated for the service that you receive. Would recommend this dentist to anyone in the Seattle area.
Dr. Baker and team are amazing. I have been going here for 20 years and they take great care of me.
This is the best dental office! Appointments are easy to schedule, the team is friendly and on time. The care is top notch. Everything is done quickly and efficiently. I'm delighted to have found this office.
I had not been to the dentist in several years so was apprehensive about what would happen. Everyone was extremely kind and non-judgmental. In particular, the first dental assistant was quick to put me at ease and employed a lot of positive feedback during a tricky procedure. The dentist and dental hygienist were also very professional and offered a concise plan on how I can get back on track. They also got me out on time which was extremely helpful! Highly recommend this office!
I have been a patient of Dr. Baker and the hygienist Piper for a few years now. I am always pleasantly surprised with their personal attention to me and their readiness to respond to any of my concerns or requests. The office is always very vibrant and produces a very good feeling. The overall atmosphere starting with the front desk people is very welcoming. It might sound surprising but I always look forward to my next visit - an absolutely unusual feeling for me. Thank you very much and keep up good work.