Gum disease can become quite serious if it goes ignored; however, with the help of a family dentist, it can be caught early on so that treatment can be quickly started. Family dentists are general dentists that specialize in working with families, which includes both the parents and children. Because family dentists specialize in general dentistry, they are trained to catch and treat gum disease. Ready to learn more?
Below is an overview of how a family dentist checks for gum disease during a check-up appointment.
The main part of checking for gum disease is when the family dentist performs an examination. The examination includes a physical and visual part, both of which are important. The physical part is relatively quick and easy, and most of the time, painless. The family dentist will use their fingers to feel around the patient's mouth. Oftentimes, gum disease is exhibited through swelling and puffiness, which can usually be felt. The second half of the examination is the visual part, which is extremely important. The family dentist will carefully inspect every area of the patient's mouth, being sure to check for inflammation, redness or recession.
If the family dentist determines that there are some red flags during the initial examination, then they will move on to using a probe. A dental probe looks similar to a tiny ruler and it is used to measure the pocket depth of the gums. Healthy gums are between 1 to 3 mm in size, whereas unhealthy gums may have pocket sizes between 3 and 6 mm. If the gums are between 3 and 6 mm, then it is likely that gum disease is present. If gum disease is present, this part of the check-up can be uncomfortable. However, if the gums are in good shape, there should not be any pain.
When a family dentist does detect gum disease or signs of an infection, they will also get an x-ray of the patient's mouth. X-rays can highlight bone loss, which may not be visible to the eye otherwise. The x-ray images can highlight if the bone beneath the gums has deteriorated, which will also indicate the stage of the gum disease. The family dentist can use the x-rays to determine the course of treatment, including whether or not a specialist is required. In some severe stages of gum disease, surgical procedures may be required to completely remove and treat the infection.
A family dentist is a great resource to utilize for routine check-up appointments, which often include a check for gum disease. If caught early enough, a family dentist can take the appropriate steps to treat the gum disease, thus improving oral health. Any questions or concerns regarding gum disease and how it is checked for should be addressed by a family dentist. Reach out today to learn more or to get started.
Request an appointment here: https://bergenerdental.com or call Hackensack Emergency Dental and Implant Center at (201) 620-9644 for an appointment in our Hackensack office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Gum Disease in Hackensack, NJ.
Almost everyone experiences a stained tooth throughout their lives, which is where cosmetic dentistry can be helpful. There are many different treatment options that fall under the cosmetic dentistry category, all of which can be used to transform, restore or renew teeth that are not in optimal condition. Stains often result in embarrassment or shame;…
Missing teeth can impact the appearance of the smile and make it difficult to speak, chew, and eat. Dental implant restoration is a method of replacing missing teeth that can improve the appearance of a patient's smile and restore the function of the teeth.Implant restoration involves surgically placing artificial tooth roots into the jaw of…
Invisalign® is a teeth-straightening treatment that entails wearing sets of custom-made transparent aligners over the teeth. Unlike traditional metal braces that use wires and brackets, the aligners are removable, which means wearers can take them off when they want to eat or brush their teeth. Learn about these clear aligners and how they are used to…
Many patients have dental bonding procedures for cosmetic reasons. However, the treatment is also sometimes used to strengthen teeth that are chipped, cracked, decayed, or have exposed roots.Dental bonding is done with a composite resin that a dentist has color-matched to the natural teeth. The dentist roughens the tooth surface and then applies a conditioning…
Cosmetic dentistry teeth whitening is known to produce better results than that of store-bought products.
Artificial teeth are attached to the posts to replace the look and function of missing…
One of the primary advantages of using Invisalign® is that the aligners are removable for…
Dental bonding procedures can usually be completed in one visit.
Before undergoing a root canal, patients can benefit from understanding the anatomy of their teeth.
If you have been living with broken, stained, or uneven teeth, or without teeth at…
