Conditions
Gum Disease in Jenkintown, PA
It rarely hurts early on. That is the problem with it.
Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth. Because the early stages are usually painless, most people who have it do not know. Looking for it is part of every examination and hygiene visit here.
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Gum disease at MVP Family Dental
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria. Left on the teeth it hardens into tartar, which cannot be removed by brushing and needs a professional clean. The infection that follows affects the gum and, over time, the bone holding the teeth in.
Untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss. Caught early, it is usually manageable — which is the whole argument for regular visits rather than waiting for symptoms.
What to watch for
Signs worth an appointment
The first signs are subtle enough to dismiss — a little blood when you brush, most often. Later ones are harder to ignore.
- Bleeding when you brush or flossOften the earliest sign, and the easiest one to put down to brushing too hard.
- Swollen, red or tender gumsInflamed gum tissue that looks angry rather than pale pink.
- Persistent bad breathBad breath that does not clear with brushing or mouthwash.
- Gums pulling backTeeth starting to look longer as the gum line recedes.
- Loose or shifting teethA later sign, and a reason to be seen promptly.
If any of these sound familiar, contact the office rather than waiting for your next scheduled visit.
Prevention
Most cases start with plaque left behind
Most gum disease comes back to daily hygiene and how often the teeth are professionally cleaned. Both are things we can help with directly.
- Brush for two full minutes, twice a dayTwo minutes is longer than most people think. Timing it is worthwhile.
- Floss daily — before you brushFlossing first dislodges food and bacteria so the brushing that follows does more.
- Have your teeth professionally cleanedOnce tartar has formed, only a professional clean removes it.
- Keep your check-upsEvery six to twelve months for most patients, so changes are found while they are small.
Some patients are at higher risk than others — smokers, and people on certain medications among them. If that is you, say so, and we will set the interval accordingly.
Treatment
What happens if you have it
Treatment depends on how far it has gone, which is what the assessment establishes.
- Early stagesProfessional cleaning and a hygiene routine you can actually keep to.
- Moderate to severeDeep cleaning — scaling and root planing — carried out under local anesthetic.
- AfterwardsPeriodontal maintenance visits so tartar does not rebuild beneath the gum.
Related pages
- Periodontal Disease — the more advanced form, and what treating it involves.
- Gum Recession — when the gum line pulls back and roots become exposed.
- Dental Cleaning — the routine hygiene appointment.
- Exam & X-Rays — where gum disease is usually first picked up.
Two generations of dentists, one shared commitment to helping Jenkintown families eat, speak and smile with confidence.
MVP Family Dental · Jenkintown, PA
The short answer
Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support the teeth, caused by a build-up of plaque and tartar. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria, and left on the teeth it hardens into tartar, which cannot be brushed away and needs a professional clean; the infection that follows affects the gum and, over time, the bone holding the teeth in. The early stages are usually painless, so it is looked for at every examination and hygiene visit rather than waited for.
Gum Disease Questions
- What is gum disease?
- Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth, also called periodontal disease. It affects the gum and, as it advances, the bone holding the teeth in. It is caused by a build-up of plaque and the tartar that forms when plaque is left on the teeth. Untreated it can lead to tooth loss, but caught early it is usually manageable.
- Would I know if I had it?
- Often not. The early stages are usually painless, which is why many patients are unaware of it. That is why it is looked for at every examination and hygiene visit rather than waited for. The first sign is usually a little blood when you brush, which is easy to put down to brushing too hard.
- What causes it?
- A build-up of plaque, which is a sticky film of bacteria. If it is not removed it hardens into tartar, which cannot be brushed away and needs a professional clean. The infection that follows affects the gum and then the bone supporting the teeth. Most cases come back to daily hygiene and how often the teeth are professionally cleaned.
- What are the symptoms?
- Bleeding when you brush or floss is usually the earliest sign and the easiest to dismiss. Swollen, red or tender gums, persistent bad breath that does not clear with brushing, and gums pulling back so teeth look longer all follow. Loose or shifting teeth are a later sign and a reason to be seen promptly. If any of these sound familiar, contact the office rather than waiting for your next scheduled visit.
- Can it be prevented?
- Most cases come down to oral hygiene. Brush for two full minutes twice a day, which is longer than most people think, and floss daily before brushing rather than after, so the brushing that follows does more. Keep your professional cleaning appointments, because once tartar has formed only a professional clean removes it. Smokers and patients on certain medications are at higher risk and may need a shorter interval.
- How often should I have my teeth cleaned?
- Every six to twelve months for most patients, so changes are found while they are small. Smokers and patients on certain medications may be advised to come more often. If you are in a higher-risk group, say so and we will set the interval accordingly.
- What happens if it is left?
- It can progress to more severe periodontal disease and, ultimately, tooth loss, because the infection affects the bone holding the teeth in and not just the gum. Early detection is what keeps treatment straightforward. The early stages need a professional clean and a hygiene routine you can actually keep to, while moderate to severe disease needs deep cleaning under local anesthetic.
- I am nervous about being seen.
- Tell us. The office is set up to make visits comfortable, and knowing in advance lets us take the appointment at your pace. Saying so when you book is better than managing it on the day. Avoiding appointments is what allows gum disease to progress unnoticed, so it is worth raising.
Dr. Vineetha Thomas, D.M.D.
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Dr. Priya Mathew, D.M.D.
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