Gum Disease | Edge Dental

Gum disease is one of the most common diseases, affecting over 80% of adults in the US. We provide an overview of gum disease and your periodontitis treatment options in Memorial City, Houston.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease, as the name suggests, is a medical condition affecting the gums (gingival tissues) in your mouth. It begins when a whitish film called plaque accumulates on your teeth and gum line. Over time, the plaque interacts with saliva and calcifies into a hard, yellowish substance called tartar or calculus. The germs in plaque and tartar damage your gum tissues.

Your body induces an inflammatory reaction to fight off the bacterial infection on your gums. It sends white blood cells to the infected sites to destroy the harmful bacteria, making your gums bleed while brushing. If bacterial infection and inflammation persist, you may eventually suffer from advanced periodontitis, which will also affect the surrounding ligaments and bone tissues.

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Gum Disease

Did you know that gum disease affects over 80% of all adults in the United States? Yes, that’s correct; affecting 8 in 10 individuals in the US, gum disease is officially one of the most common diseases in America. However, only 60% of people with gum disease can identify its symptoms, and only 3% of individuals with moderate to severe gingivitis symptoms accept treatment.

If left untreated, gum disease continues spreading, eventually affecting your overall health and increasing the risk of several full-body complications, such as strokes, osteoporosis, and more. At Edge Dental, Memorial City, we use the cutting-edge LANAP procedure for gum infection treatment with minimal side effects or risks. Please continue reading to learn more about gum disease.

The signs and symptoms of gingivitis and periodontitis

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How to treat gum disease?

At Edge Dental, we perform the highly effective, safe, and minimally invasive LANAP procedure for gum infection treatments. During the LANAP procedure, the dentist will use a special laser device to channel laser energy between the gums and teeth, thereby removing the source of inflammation without affecting healthy gum tissues. This method treats gum infection and decreases the periodontal pockets while helping you recover quickly. There are no scalpels, incisions, or sutures, so the recovery process is a lot faster.

Speak to our dentist about our laser dentistry option. Book your appointment now or call us at 281-558-3759.

The stages of gingivitis

Healthy gums and teeth without inflammation
Plaque buildup due to poor oral hygiene or inadequate professional cleanings
Tartar buildup on the teeth and gums, leading to gum inflammation (gingivitis)
Gum recession and bone loss due to the accumulation of plaque and tartar in the gum line (periodontitis)
Severe bone loss and deep pockets between the teeth and gums, increasing the risk of tooth loss (advanced periodontitis)

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Speak to our dentist about our minimally invasive gum disease treatment. Book now.

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The risk factors for gum infections

Smokers are 4x more likely to experience gingivitis and periodontitis, whereas second-hand smokers have a 50-60% risk of gum disease.

The risk of gum disease increases with age; over 50% of adults over 35 show signs of gingivitis around 3 or 4 teeth.

You are 12x more likely to have gingivitis or periodontitis if your parents have a history of gum disease. Genetic predisposition is the leading risk factor.

The risk of gum disease is higher for women because of female hormonal changes due to prescription birth control, menopause, and pregnancy.

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Testimonials

I love Dr. Lai and crew, they are skilled and oh so awesome! I love coming to the dentist now, no thoughts or worries of discomfort. I am so close to obtaining a smile I can be proud of and Dr. Lai has been so patient, guiding me along the way. Please come see Dr. Lai!

Great dental office! Everyone there was very professional and nice. The office itself is clean and all equipment used seemed new and up to date. Was very impressed during my regular cleaning and probably the first time I’ve NEVER experienced any type of pain. This will definitely be the only dental office I use in the Houston area!

The dental facility is equipped with state of the art with incredible dental technology (in my opinion), and Dr. Lai has been gentle and wonderful during all of my procedures and he is by far my favorite dentist in all of Houston! I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Lai and Edge Dental!

The best dentist and amazing staff. Picked them since I moved to Houston. Best decision! My kid enjoyed the visit as well.

I enjoyed my first visit with Dr. Lai and his team of dental professionals. The visit went well and work was done quickly and painlessly. Thanks for a solid first appointment!

I was 100% satisfied. I will highly recommend to my family, friends, coworkers and any others in need of dental services.

I’ve definitely found my new dentist!!! Everyone was so nice and made sure I knew exactly what was going on during my entire visit!! They make you feel like family.

Great dentist. Fast and efficient. Very clean and everything seems so new and modern. Plus a good location for me. My husband and I both go here. We recommend!

Great customer service and care/treatment is awesome. Dr. Justin is very knowledgeable and has a great bedside manner. All the staff members are awesome and sweet.

Potential full-body complications of gum disease

Gum disease and periodontitis certainly affect your oral teeth, leading to gum recession, bone loss, loose teeth, bleeding gums, and other complications. However, if left untreated, the oral bacteria can spread through the bloodstream into other parts of the body, increasing the risk of several other complications related to the respiratory system, heart condition, sexual health, and more.

The following are some of the potential full-body complications of gingivitis and periodontitis:

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Don't let your gum disease get worse. Ask us about our minimally invasive LANAP treatment. Book now.

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Gum Disease FAQs

How can I get rid of gingivitis fast?

The fastest way to get rid of gingivitis and periodontitis is through the minimally-invasive, cutting-edge LANAP procedure. This procedure involves using laser energy to treat gum infection, clean the roots of the teeth, remove plaque and tartar, and facilitate natural tissue regeneration. You may need one or two sessions with the LANAP laser gum treatment, and you can resume most of your daily activities within 24 hours.

How do you know if you have gingivitis?

Gum disease often goes undetected and untreated because the initial signs and symptoms may be benign or unnoticeable. You should look for the following gingivitis signs — bleeding gums, swollen or tender gums, persistent bad breath, loosened or shifting teeth, and more.

How do you know if gingivitis is getting worse?

You know that gingivitis is worsening if you continue experiencing bleeding gums, especially while brushing and flossing. Furthermore, you may also experience teeth sensitivity, changes in your bite, and cyst formations in your gums. You must go for regular professional cleanings to identify gum disease at the earliest stages.

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Schedule an Appointment

Edge Dental is one of the leading dental clinics specializing in advanced periodontal treatment approaches, such as the LANAP procedure. We use cutting-edge laser devices, such as the PerioLase MVP-7 dental laser, to facilitate optimal recovery and healing. Our technique involves minimal or no bleeding, quick recovery time, and predictable long-term results. Please schedule an appointment for your LANAP treatment in Memorial City today.

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