Periodontal Care in Princeton, NJ

Keep Your Gums Healthy

Your gums are an essential component of your oral health. When bacteria infect your gums and mouth, it can lead to periodontal (gum) disease. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to serious oral health consequences such as tooth loss and more.

Dr. Cortese and our expert team at Princeton Prosthodontics offer comfortable gum disease treatments to help support your gum health. Read on to learn more about the causes and symptoms of gum diseases, and our treatment to prevent gum disease.

What Is Gum Disease?

Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is a bacterial infection that develops in your gum tissue that can spread throughout your mouth. It stems from a buildup of plaque, a type of sticky bacteria that hardens on your teeth. This can be caused by not brushing and flossing enough or skipping your routine dental check-ups.

Stages of Gum Disease

Gum disease can be separated into two primary stages:

• Gingivitis: This is the early stage of gum disease when the infection is still mild and can often be reversed with relative ease. You may not experience any painful symptoms during this stage beyond red or swollen gum tissue.


• Periodontitis: Without treatment, gingivitis can turn into the serious stage, periodontitis. The bacteria will begin to wear down the bones and tissue supporting your teeth, creating pockets in your gums and resulting in a wide variety of serious health complications including severe pain and tooth loss.

Symptoms of Gum Disease

It’s important to diagnose gum disease early as it can save you from some painful symptoms. Symptoms can range from:

• Bleeding gums
• Receding gums
• Persistent bad breath
• Large gaps between teeth
• Red, swollen, and tender gums

If you notice any signs of gum disease, we recommend scheduling an appointment so we can help you determine how severe it is. In most cases, Dr. Cortese will be able to treat your symptoms and provide relief with one of our periodontal solutions.

Risk Factors For Gum Disease

Many patients aren’t aware that gum health can affect their overall health. In fact, periodontal disease has been linked to a number of diseases and conditions, such as:

• Strokes
• Diabetes
• Oral cancer
• Heart disease
• Respiratory infections
• Pregnancy complications
• Dementia/ Alzheimer’s Disease
• Severe Osteopenia (bone mass reduction)

Treatment Options

If you develop gingivitis, we may be able to stop the infection in its tracks with a deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing. These treatments involve using specialized dental tools to remove plaque from above and below the gumline. This non-invasive treatment is painless and can be completed in just one appointment at our Princeton office, leaving you with a healthy, sparkling smile.

The best way to treat gum disease is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Maintaining excellent oral hygiene at home and scheduling biannual visits to Princeton Prosthodontics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes gum disease?

The most common cause is poor oral hygiene, as it builds up plaque and bacteria along your gum line which then start to irritate the tissue. Other factors that can cause gum disease are:

• Smoking and alcohol consumption
• Dry mouth
• Medical conditions such as diabetes
• Crooked teeth

What’s the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis?

Gingivitis and periodontitis are both stages of gum disease. Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease and affects your gums while periodontitis is the latest severe stage that can cause damage to your jawbone. The early stage of gum disease can be preventable and reversible, but periodontitis can’t because it has begun to deteriorate your jawbone structure.

Are children at risk of periodontal problems?

Children rarely develop periodontal disease, but it’s important to produce good habits early on to prevent future problems. Teach your children the following dental hygiene instructions to increase the chance that these will turn into lifetime habits:

• Brush twice a day
• Floss properly
• Visit your dentist twice a year

Can my dental insurance cover periodontal treatment?

Most insurance providers cover the cost of preventive care. However, advanced gum care may not be covered by your dental insurance. We recommend speaking to your dental insurance provider ahead of time to learn what your plan will cover.

Receive Your Periodontal Treatment With Dr. Cortese

Without treatment, gum disease poses a serious threat to your overall health and can impact your quality of life. It’s essential to get it treated at the first sign of a problem. To schedule an appointment, contact our Princeton office to get started on your periodontal care today.