Gum Disease Treatment Highland Park, NJ

Protect & Maintain Your Gum Health

When you brush your teeth and notice your gums are inflamed and bleeding, you may be suffering from gum disease. Gum disease is one of the most common dental issues due to its early stages being painless. If left untreated, it can lead to serious oral health complications and negatively affect your daily life. 

At Zen Dental of Highland Park, Dr. Gu and our dental team provide gum disease treatment to prevent gum disease from spreading and harming your oral health. Learn how our treatments can treat your symptoms while ensuring your gum health is in its pristine condition.

What is Gum Disease?

Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the gums that starts out as plaque, an opaque film on the teeth that hardens to form tartar. As tartar accumulates, it harbors bacteria that attack the soft tissue around the gums. This is the early stage of gum disease known as gingivitis

If left untreated, gingivitis becomes periodontitis which can start destroying the tissue surrounding your teeth and the bone that holds your teeth in place. Except for bad breath and gums that bleed, there are a few early warning signals.

Signs & Symptoms of Gum Disease

Gum disease advances silently and painlessly. These are the signs and symptoms you should be on the lookout for:

  • Bad breath
  • Bleeding gums
  • Red and swollen gums
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Receding gum line
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Painful or tender gums
  • Loosening tooth

If you’re experiencing one or more of the symptoms above, call our Highland Park office at (732) 777-9077 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Gu.

Stages of Gum Disease

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. Even if you practice good oral hygiene habits, plaque can build up in hard-to-reach places and can cause infection to spread below the gum line. 

During this stage, you may notice some bleeding from your gums as you brush your teeth. However, some patients report not seeing or feeling anything during this stage. This is why it’s highly recommended that you visit your dentist for your routine visits. With regular dental exams at our Highland Park office, we can better catch gum disease in the early stage, and help you completely reverse the damage with a thorough cleaning.

Periodontitis 

If gingivitis is left untreated, it can turn into periodontitis. This is the second stage where gum disease gradually becomes more severe and symptoms become more noticeable. If periodontitis goes untreated for long enough, you’ll likely need multiple treatments and surgical interventions to try and save your smile.

Gum Disease Treatment

If you’re suffering from mild to moderate gum disease, we provide scaling and root planing as treatment. During the scaling procedure, Dr. Gu will remove the hardened plaque and bacteria from underneath the gum line.  During the planing procedure, Dr. Gu will smooth out the tooth roots to prevent harmful bacteria from re-entering the pockets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happens if gum disease is left untreated?
A: Tooth loss becomes more likely the longer gum disease goes untreated, but it’s not the only possibility. Scientific research has discovered a linkage between gum disease and stroke, heart disease, diabetes — even an increased risk for pregnant women. That’s why it’s vital to pay close attention to possible signs of gum disease and schedule an appointment at our Highland Park office if you think you’re displaying symptoms.

Q: How can I keep my gums healthy?
Q:  It’s important to attend your biannual visits to your dentist to ensure your gums are healthy and free from harmful bacteria. In addition, Dr. Gu recommends following these tips to ensure your gums stay healthy:

  • Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush
  • Floss daily
  • Rinse in between meals
  • Limit alcohol consumption
  • Stop tobacco product usage
  • Stay hydrated
  • Limit sugar

Restore Your Oral Health

With a regular oral hygiene routine and biannual visits to our Highland Park office, you can avoid the development and stop the progression of gum disease. If you believe you’re suffering from gum disease, call our office at (732) 777-9077 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Gu. 

You can also request an appointment by clicking the button below, and one of our staff members will get back to you promptly. We’re proud to provide gum disease treatment to patients in Highland Park and surrounding areas including Bound Brook, Metuchen, and North Brunswick Township, NJ.


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