Learn about the diagnosis and treatment of gum disease with our dentist in Knoxville, TN

Drs. Pablo Foncea and Mariko McCall are dedicated dentists who believe in preventative dental care for every one of their patients. With preventative care, patients can maintain oral health and wellness and enjoy a beautiful smile for life. Conditions such as gum disease and tooth decay can affect the smile in a negative manner, causing damage that can only be repaired, not reversed. Therefore, they educate patients in the Knoxville, TN area on the diagnosis, treatment, and even prevention of gum disease.

• Diagnosis of gum disease – patients who have gum disease will often experience a variety of symptoms that may indicate the problem has developed. The earlier stages of gum disease, or periodontal disease, is characterized by gum tissues that bleed or are swollen. Patients may notice persistent bad breath and red, irritated gums. This earlier stage of gum disease is easier to treat than periodontitis. With periodontitis, patients may start to notice other issues such as shrinking gum tissue and loose teeth. When patients get a proper diagnosis of periodontal disease, they can then work with their dental team at Sequoyah Dental Arts to discuss their treatment options.
• Treatment of gum disease – the earlier the condition is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat. In the first stages of periodontal disease, sometimes referred to as gingivitis, the condition can be addressed with a thorough cleaning of the teeth and gums. However, later stages require more aggressive treatment such as scaling and root planing to address bacteria on all surfaces of the teeth and gums. In many cases, our dental team may also integrate antibiotics into the treatment plan to address the infection itself. In fact, once it has developed, it can only be controlled with the help of a professional dentist. Therefore, it is important to work with a dentist to learn about ways to prevent the development of the condition altogether.
• Prevention of gum disease – it is best for patients who are interested in caring for the smile and keeping conditions from developing to speak to a professional about preventive care. To keep gum disease from occurring, patients should always brush and floss their teeth after every meal. They should maintain routine dental appointments with their dentist, at least twice a year, to attend a thorough cleaning and an evaluation, which may include x-rays to monitor the health of the bone. If patients notice any problems that may signify a problem, they are urged to visit the practice for an additional appointment for diagnosis and treatment.

How do I know if gum disease has begun?

Many patients ask Drs. Pablo Foncea and Mariko McCall about the symptoms of gum disease that may indicate that the condition has developed. The earlier stages are often represented by red, swollen gums and bleeding when patients brush and floss. They may also deal with bad breath that does not improve with brushing. At this point, patients should make an appointment with their dentist to be evaluated and to get a proper diagnosis and successful treatment. The later stages are often more difficult to treat and require more invasive procedures and are characterized by loose teeth and shrinking bone. Treatment as soon as possible is recommended to control the condition and to lessen the damage that may occur.

What happens if gum disease is left untreated?

Patients who ignore the signs of gum disease may begin to deal with some serious consequences, including the loss of the gum tissue, bone, and natural teeth. Restoring the smile back to health and proper function after the late stages of periodontitis can be relatively expensive and require extensive dental work to repair.

Do you want to learn more about dental health and wellness?

Connect with our team at Sequoyah Dental Arts today in the Knoxville, TN area to help you improve and maintain your oral health and wellness to avoid the development of periodontal disease. Drs. Pablo Foncea and Mariko McCall are here to assist when patients request an appointment at 865 973-9899 and visit the office at 2719 Kingston Pike.

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