In the beginning stage, gum disease may not be obvious to you. But your routine dental cleanings and exams will reveal any signs of trouble to the trained eyes of our skilled dentist and hygienists.
Between your usual visits, you can monitor your gums when you brush and floss each day so that if you notice any changes, you can call us right away so we can take a deeper look.
But here are some common symptoms to look out for that may indicate more advanced gum infection:

  • Redness or swelling
  • Tenderness or inflammation
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Bleeding gums
  • Loose or shifting teeth
  • Gums receding from teeth
  • Pockets forming around the gumline

It’s not just the leading cause of tooth loss, but periodontal infection is linked to serious health problems like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and so much more!
In the spirit of Gum Disease Awareness Month, we want to close out February by explaining our modern approach to restoring your gum health with nonsurgical gum disease treatment at Elizabeth Kilpatrick-Fox, DMD in Swedesboro, NJ.

Deep Cleanings May Be Enough For Infected Gums

The earliest stage of gum disease is gingivitis and can often be reversed with a thorough dental cleaning. But if your periodontal infection is a bit more advanced, scaling and root planing still works!
With a topical anesthetic, you won’t feel a thing as we deeply clean below your gumline. If necessary, we’ll apply antibiotics in those areas to disinfect and heal your gums. Then, we smooth the roots that have been damaged by infection to reduce sensitivity and prevent the future collection of bacteria.
You may need to return more often than your usual six month intervals, typically 3-4 months, until the gum disease is under control and you’re back on the road to better dental health.

Treating Gum Disease The Modern Way

Scaling and root planing is an effective deep cleaning your gums need to reverse the damaging effects of periodontal infection. There are times, however, when you will need more help controlling gum disease so it doesn’t progress further and lead to tooth loss and other risks to your health overall.
But only a dental practice that invests in the advanced training and technology to serve patients in the modern age can offer less complicated, more comfortable gum therapy.
That’s Dr. Fox and the Chao Pinhole method!
Without cutting, stitching, or grafting, Dr. Fox can repair your gums with this minimally-invasive technique that gently repositions gum tissues with speed and precision. Because of its modern sophistication and simplicity, the pinhole technique makes the procedure and recovery period much faster and easier.
It also allows for better aesthetic results where your restored gums match nicely with the surrounding gum tissue.
A problem like gum disease requires a powerful solution that’s easy on patients and tough on oral infection, and the pinhole technique delivers!

Restore Your Oral Health Now!

When you have the right dentist with the skills and technology to fight the greatest threat to your smile, it is possible to overcome gum disease and restore the tissues that have been deteriorated by infection.
Our scaling and root planing and advanced pinhole treatment both offer patients the chance to get gum disease under control comfortably and effectively so you can move forward with renewed hope and renewed oral health.
Let’s get your gums back in shape! Call Elizabeth Kilpatrick-Fox, DMD today at 856-997-2767 or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment in Swedesboro, NJ.