Message from Dr. Akmal: Risks of Gum Disease and What to Do About It

One of our responsibilities at StarBrite Dental is educating our patients on how they can preserve their teeth. When we discuss gum disease with

patients, we often find they are unaware of the symptoms and what benefits treatment can offer. We asked Dr. Omer Akmal , our periodontist, to alert readers to the signs of gum disease and how to prevent it.

Dr. Akmal, how does gum disease develop?

As bacteria accumulate in the space between your teeth and gums, they start to cause gum disease which is why your gums bleed when you floss. This is also known as “gingivitis.” Gingivitis is reversible. This is generally done with a dental cleaning.

What happens if gum disease is not detected and treated in its early stages?

Over time, if teeth are not cleaned properly, a hardened material known as “tartar” forms on them. Tartar gives the bacteria areas to hide, and this leads to an increase in bacteria and gum inflammation, which further breaks down the gum tissue creating deep pockets between the gum and teeth. If the inflammation is allowed to continue, this will result in the progression of gingivitis into what is known as “periodontitis.”

Gingivitis is reversible but periodontitis is not. This is because the bacteria and tartar have caused a breakdown of the bone that holds teeth in place and this bone does not grow back.

How is advanced gum disease treated?
If you have tartar built up, it is important to quickly remove it with a procedure called “scaling and root planing” (sometime called a “deep cleaning”). In this procedure, we are cleaning away the offending agents in the pockets, so that the gums begin to heal.

This healing is assessed about one month after scaling and root planing. If adequate inflammation reduction has not occurred, that means that there are still problems under the gums. You will need to be seen by a periodontist (gum specialist) to assess the areas and see if gum surgery is needed to help strengthen the foundation of those teeth.

StarBrite Dental patients have the advantage of having Dr. Akmal, a periodontal specialist, on our staff. He is board-certified in periodontics, meaning he brings an uncommonly high level of competence and excellence to StarBrite Dental .

If you live in the Rockville, Maryland or metropolitan Washington, D.C. area, and you have any concerns about your gums, please contact StarBrite Dental or a free consultation with Dr. Akmal at 240-241-7194 .