Your smile is one of your most valuable assets. At Mattson Hellickson Dental in Beaverton, we’re committed to helping you keep it healthy and happy. Healthy gums are the foundation of a beautiful smile and good overall health. Our team provides gentle and effective periodontal therapy to restore your oral health in Beaverton, OR.
What is Periodontal Disease?
Gum disease is a common condition that affects the gums and bones that support your teeth. It begins when bacteria in plaque creates a damaging film on your teeth and infects your gums.
Research shows that gum disease is linked to several health problems. Heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory issues to name a few. By taking care of your gums, you’re protecting your smile and supporting your overall health.
If not treated, periodontal disease can cause:
- Swollen, red, and bleeding gums
- Bad breath that won’t go away
- Pain while chewing or biting into things
- Loose teeth that wiggle
- Tooth loss
Many patients don’t know they have gum disease because it doesn’t cause pain until it’s in an advanced stage. That’s why regular dental check-ups at Mattson Hellickson Dental are so important.
The Stages of Gum Disease
Gum disease is progressive. This means that it begins with mild symptoms that often go unnoticed in the absence of routine dental care.
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease. During this stage, your gums may look red and swollen. They might also bleed when you brush and floss. You can reverse gingivitis with good oral hygiene, and dental cleanings from Dr. Ben Hellickson and Dr. Sam Mattson.
Untreated gingivitis can progress to the next stage, early periodontitis. At this stage, the infection starts to affect the bone that supports your teeth. Small pockets form between your gums and teeth that allow the bacteria to cause more havoc. Your gums will begin to pull away from your teeth too.
As the disease gets worse, the pockets get deeper and you lose more bone. Your teeth will feel loose, and you may notice more bleeding and discomfort when eating.
In the final stage, the infection has caused significant bone loss. Your teeth have shifted, feel loose, and even begin to fall out. You might notice pus around your gums and have severe bad breath. The final stage will need oral surgery to repair your gums, and it can stay with you for life.
Risk Factors for Gum Disease
Several things can increase your chance of getting gum disease, including:
- Poor oral hygiene and not brushing or flossing regularly
- Frequent smoking and using chewing tobacco
- Diabetes
- Certain medications
- Family history of gum disease
- Hormonal changes, like during pregnancy
- High levels of stress
- Grinding or clenching your teeth
Fortunately, you can manage many of these risks with help from our dental team at Mattson Hellickson Dental.
Periodontal Treatments in Beaverton, OR
We offer treatments to address gum disease at every stage. Treatments may include:
- Professional Dental Cleaning: For mild cases, a professional cleaning may be all you need. Our hygienists gently remove plaque and tartar from above and below your gumline.
- Scaling and Root Planing: This deeper cleaning is often called a “deep cleaning.” We carefully remove plaque and tartar from below your gumline (scaling). Then we smooth rough spots on tooth roots (root planing) where bacteria tends to gather.
- Antibiotic Therapy: Sometimes we place special antibiotics directly in the periodontal pockets to help control infection and promote healing.
- Surgical Options: For advanced cases, we may recommend surgical treatments. Flap surgery reduces pocket depth. Bone grafts help rebuild bone lost to periodontal disease.
Prevention is Your Best Defense Against Gum Disease
The smartest and most effective approach to gum health is to stop problems before they even begin. Preventing gum disease is all about building consistent, healthy habits that keep your mouth clean and your gums strong.
The foundation of this prevention starts at home with your daily routine. We recommend brushing your teeth thoroughly twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is important because it helps strengthen your tooth enamel. It makes your enamel more resistant to decay that affects gums.
But brushing alone can’t reach everything. It’s just as important to floss daily to remove sticky plaque and food particles that get stuck between your teeth and under the gumline. This step is key because gum disease often starts in these hidden areas. Your diet also plays a significant role.
Eating a balanced diet full of vitamins and minerals helps support your body’s natural defenses to fight off infections. This in turn keeps your gum tissue healthy. It’s also very important to avoid all tobacco products. Smoking and chewing tobacco dramatically increases your risk of developing serious gum disease.
Regular visits to our dental office support these daily habits. We perform professional cleanings to remove all plaque and tartar that you can’t get rid of at home. We also conduct thorough check-ups to spot the very early signs of gum inflammation. By combining your diligent at-home care with our professional oversight, we create a powerful partnership dedicated to keeping your smile healthy for a lifetime.
Schedule A Dental Visit Today
Don’t wait until you feel pain or your gums are making you uncomfortable. Early detection and treatment are key to successful periodontal therapy. Contact Mattson Hellickson Dental in Beaverton today at 503-308-7664 or request an appointment online anytime.
A healthy smile begins with healthy gums. Let us help you protect both with patient-focused dental care.
