Preventing and Treating Gum Disease in Leesburg & Lansdowne, VA
At the practice of Vandana Sood, DMD, LLC, we make it our mission to help you enjoy your healthiest smile. Dr. Sood emphasizes not only finding effective treatments but helping you avoid gum health issues in the first place. Our team provides tailored periodontal care to protect your teeth and gums and promote a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Our office proudly serves families in Leesburg, Sterling, Ashburn, Landsdowne, VA . Call today and let us support you with beautifully functional smiles!
CALL US: (703) 723-9332 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
How Gum Disease Affects Your Health
Gums protect your tooth roots and are the foundation that holds your teeth in place. Preventing and treating gum disease early on will help protect you from unnecessary tooth loss. Since gum disease influences many systematic disorders like diabetes, heart disease, and strokes, we focus on patient education and gum disease treatment to help keep you healthy.
There are three levels of gum disease. These levels are:
- Gingivitis - When sugar and food remain on tooth enamel, bacteria use these remains to create plaque. When plaque hardens around the gum line, it irritates the gums and causes inflammation.
- Periodontitis - When gingivitis is left untreated, the gums start pulling away from teeth, creating pockets below the gum line. These pockets are then filled with harmful bacteria, making the tooth roots vulnerable to tarter and infection.
- Advanced Periodontitis - Not dealing with periodontitis quickly causes the damage to deepen. In this stage, the gum tissue and the jawbone start to shrink, and teeth become loose and start falling out!
Signs of Gum Disease
Gum disease symptoms often go unnoticed. Routine dental exams will help us identify the disease early on. Common signs of gum disease include:
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing
- Receding gums
- Red or swollen gums
- Gum tenderness
Gum Disease Treatment
The early stage of gum disease, known as gingivitis, can be turned around with regular dental cleanings and proper oral hygiene at home. If it progresses to periodontitis, pockets filled with tartar and bacteria may form underneath the gum line. This requires deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing.
Scaling & Root Planing - During this deep cleaning, Dr. Sood uses specialized dental tools to eliminate infection beneath the gum line. We remove traces of plaque and tartar from the tooth roots and rinse with an antibacterial to eliminate any remaining bacteria. After that, we smooth out the enamel on the root's surface. This makes it easier for gums to reattach, securing the tooth in place.
If the infection is severe, we will refer you to a specialist for more advanced treatment. Once your gum disease is addressed, our team will continue to provide you with maintenance therapies to reduce the risk of reinfection.
What is Preventive Dentistry?
Preventive dentistry involves any services, techniques, and treatments designed to help you avoid future oral health problems. Examples of preventive dentistry include dental exams, which are used to inspect your mouth for signs of current or potential issues. Another act of prevention involves professional cleanings, which are essential for removing risk factors like bacteria and plaque.
We believe that consistent preventive care combined with at-home hygiene helps you avoid common issues like tooth decay and gum disease. We offer frequent exams and cleanings for your family members of all ages and take the time to educate you on how to care for your smile at home.
What to Expect During a Dental Exam
During a dental exam, Dr. Sood starts with a visual examination of your whole mouth, checking your teeth, gums, tongue, and soft tissues. She’ll also take a look at your jaw and neck to check for any abnormalities.
Our team then takes digital x-rays of your mouth to check on your tooth roots, jaw, and facial structure. We typically take x-rays once a year unless there is a specific need to take more images. They help our team discover signs of gum disease that we can’t see with the naked eye.
What Dental Cleanings Involve
A dental cleaning is a preventive treatment used to remove harmful bacteria from the surface of your teeth, leaving your teeth healthy, clean, and fresh. We recommend professional cleaning twice a year to remove tartar from your teeth and protect it from damage and decay.
When gum disease has been resolved with deep cleanings, we offer maintenance cleanings to help keep gum pockets free of debris.
Promoting Healthy Smiles in Leesburg, VA
If you need gum disease treatment or are just looking to protect your smile, Dr. Sood and our team are here to provide you all the help you need. Contact Vandana Sood, DMD, LLC today to schedule your visit.
CALL US: (703) 723-9332 REQUEST APPOINTMENT