Gum Disease Treatment in Mauldin, SC

Gum disease results from a build-up of bacteria in your gums, typically from not brushing and flossing enough or skipping your bi-annual dental check-ups. This bacteria can stick to your teeth and harden into a substance called plaque, putting you at high risk for an oral infection.

Once you have gum disease, your risk will also increase for many other health problems including tooth loss, heart disease, and strokes.

The first stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. During this stage, your gums will start to look red and inflamed but you likely won’t experience any other symptoms. As long as it’s caught early, gingivitis can usually be reversed without much difficulty.

However, if you don’t get treatment, the infection can progress to the next stage of periodontitis. Periodontitis poses a far greater threat to your health, as bacteria will begin to destroy the bones and tissues supporting your teeth during this stage.

Periodontitis is much more difficult to eliminate than gingivitis, but Dr. McCraw can restore your gums without any stitches or bleeding, thanks to our advanced dental laser.

According to medical research, people who have gum disease are two to three times more likely to suffer from a heart attack, stroke, or other serious cardiovascular events. The exact link isn’t definitively known yet, but many medical professionals believe it’s linked to plaque traveling through your bloodstream into your arteries.

The connection may also have to do with the fact that gum disease causes inflammation, which can increase your risk of cardiovascular issues over time. While the research is far from finished, it’s clear that gum disease is harmful to your health and has some correlation with heart disease.