Gum Disease

Gum Disease is a potentially large problem that is completely treatable and we can help. Raymond Liu, DDS, Family Dentistry wants to help you have a healthy mouth and keep your teeth for a lifetime.

DO I HAVE GUM DISEASE?

You can check for gum disease at home. It's easy to check. Are your gums red and puffy? Do they bleed when you brush them? Do they bleed when you floss them? Are they painful or sensitive? This is gum disease, and it is NOT normal. Gum disease means that a bacterium has gone below the gum line and infection has set in. Have you ever had a cut that turns red, is puffy and sensitive to the touch? This is an infection, and just as your cut responds to you with warning signs, so can your gums. Gum disease can also be detected during a regular dental exam, and preventive care established so that the condition does not worsen.

WHAT WILL GUM DISEASE DO?

When your gums become infected they recede, or pull back, from your teeth. As they start to pull away, they form what is called pockets. These pockets create a space that separates your tooth and the gum and that is bad. Your tooth is not a little less stable in your mouth. As this disease progresses, your teeth become loose and begin to shift, causing problems with your bite and jaw alignment. Eventually, your teeth will loosen to the point of falling out. You do not want this to happen. Your teeth are important to you and to your day to day happiness.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

If you have gum disease, we need to see you. Dr. Liu can repair the damage, alleviate the infection, and put you on the road to recovery. Your recovery process will begin with a dental cleaning and examination. At this appointment he may determine that further action is required and recommend a deep cleaning, which is a cleaning that goes below the gumline. Using a process called planning and scaling, he is able to remove the bacteria and smooth your tooth roots helping your gums begin to repair. He may need to address decay and may perform treatments to help strengthen your teeth. The first step for you is to make the appointment.

Contact our Edmonds, WA office today at (425) 771-2100 for more information on Gum Disease and how we can help.