Gingivitis

The most common symptom of gingivitis is spitting blood in the sink while you brush. It sounds a little gross, but it’s important to know that you can prevent this from happening. Gingivitis develops when poor oral hygiene habits are practiced. If you notice swollen or puffy gums, dark red gums, bad breath, or gums that are receding, please schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Advantage Dentistry.

Our doctors are dedicated to providing patients with healthy gums, but this cannot be achieved by our doctors alone. It’s a dual effort between the doctor and the patient. Anyone can develop gingivitis, but you increase your risk if you’re a smoker, have a poor diet, or suffer from dry mouth. Untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontitis which can eventually lead to tooth loss. Be sure to talk to your dentist about risk factors for gum disease and discuss your treatment options if you’ve been diagnosed with gingivitis.

If you have questions or concerns about periodontal disease, please give us a call. To schedule your appointment with Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, call our office at 716-877-2275 or visit our website www.advantagedentistry.com for more information about the services we provide. 

Stages of Gum Disease

If you want to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime, then you need to practice a proper oral hygiene routine on a daily basis. If you don’t, you’re already headed down the road toward gum disease. Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth and there are three stages that you need to be aware of. You should always schedule professional cleanings and oral exams with one of our doctors at Advantage Dentistry twice a year to avoid this condition.

• Gingivitis – This is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gum line. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. This is when you’ll notice blood in the sink after you complete your brushing routine. However, at this early stage, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected.


• Periodontitis – This is the second stage of gum disease. By this point, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may even begin to form a pocket below the gum line, which traps food and plaque.


• Advanced Periodontitis – This is the final stage of gum disease, and the fibers and bone supporting your teeth is officially destroyed. In this case, your teeth may begin to shift or loosen and your bite may also be affected. If aggressive treatment can’t save them, the teeth will need to be extracted.

If you are experiencing gum inflammation, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.advantagedentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, call 716-877-2275.

Gum Disease: How Does it Develop?

We all hear about how we need to avoid gum disease, but do you know what it really is and how it develops? Knowing may be the difference between developing it or not. At Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, we strive to educate our patients on oral health. Read on to learn more about gum disease.

Gum disease refers to infected gum tissue in your mouth. This tissue is what creates a strong foundation for your teeth, so when it becomes diseased, it can weaken and cause teeth to call out. It can also spread infection, cause deformation of the jawbone, and increase the risks of heart attack and stroke.

Gum disease develops when plaque and tartar irritate the tissue around teeth. If not treated, the gums begin to separate and pull away from the teeth causing deep pockets to form where bacteria can collect deep down. This is the most difficult stage of gum disease to treat.

In order to prevent gum disease, you need to brush your teeth twice per day and floss once per day. When brushing, be sure to pay special attention to the gum line. Make sure you angle your toothbrush so that the area where your teeth meet your gums gets attention. In addition, brush your tongue, your cheeks, and the roof of your mouth. There are areas where bacteria can also hide.

Routine visits to your dentist can also help keep away gum disease. To schedule a cleaning and examination at Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, call our office at (716) 877-2275. More information about us can be found on our website, www.advantagedentistry.com. 

Scaling and Planing to Clear Gum Disease

Gum disease can completely ruin the health of your mouth, along with your overall health. At Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, we provide scaling and root planing to our patients with gum disease so they can work towards a clean, healthy mouth.

When hardened plaque (tartar) causes the gums to recede, bacteria can reach deep down by the tooth’s root. In order to clear up the gum disease, the teeth need to be scraped clean. Scaling and planing is the process of cleaning the teeth between the gums, down to the root, and smoothing out rough spots on the root. Rough spots on the root can trap bacteria, making it difficult to fully clear up gum disease.  

A scraping tool is used to remove plaque and tartar. Scaling and planing can take a few appointments as the mouth is usually worked on in sections. After the process is complete, a regular oral heal routine of brushing twice daily and flossing once daily will be recommended to continue on the way to healthy gums. In addition, you will want to get frequent professional cleanings from your dentist.

Gum disease can be detrimental. To schedule your appointment with Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, call our office at (716) 877-2275. More information and dental resources can be found on our website, www.advantagedentistry.com. 

Periodontal Splinting for Loose Teeth

Loose teeth need to be secured before they become too loose and fall out. There are several things that can cause teeth to loosen, which is why here at Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, we offer periodontal splinting to our patients.

Periodontal splinting involves making one unit out of stable teeth and the loose tooth or teeth. The stable teeth provide structure so that the loose teeth are no longer mobile. This procedure is performed using composite resin. The resin is applied to the backs of the teeth where it is not noticeable. The end result is strong, in-place teeth.

Teeth can become loose for many different reasons. A common reason is periodontal disease. When the gum tissue surrounding a tooth recedes, it can cause extra room between the tooth and the gums. If steps are not taken to improve the area and stop teeth from moving, they can become loose enough to fall out.

If you are experiencing loose teeth, come see us for an evaluation. Periodontal splinting may be what saves your smile. To schedule an appointment in our Kenmore, NY office, call Advantage Dentistry at (716) 877-2275. For additional information about periodontal splinting, visit our website, www.advantagedentistry.com.