Gum disease can negatively impact your smile and overall health if left untreated. Call Hardin Advanced Dentistry today at (513) 216-2935 to find out how our Cincinnati dentists can help. Our office is conveniently located in Mason, Ohio, and we serve patients visiting from Southeast Indiana and Northern Kentucky, too.
Gum Disease
Defined
In its earliest stages gum disease is known as gingivitis. The condition occurs when bacteria builds up in the mouth, attacking teeth and gum tissue.
- Tenderness
- Bleeding from the gums, especially after brushing or flossing your teeth
- Swelling along the gum line
- Redness
If gingivitis isn’t treated, the gums can begin separating from the teeth, leaving spaces where bacteria can begin eating away at exposed tooth roots and supporting bone structure. This is called periodontitis, and it poses a serious risk to oral health.
Poor oral hygiene and bad habits like smoking are usually the cause of gum disease, but there are other contributing factors. Women who are pregnant or experiencing other hormonal changes, for example, are at a higher risk for gum disease.
Gum Disease
Diagnosis
Our Cincinnati dentists believe that preventative care is critical to maintaining good dental health. During your regularly scheduled checkups, Dr. Tara will check for signs of gum disease like:
- Pockets of accumulated plaque on teeth and at the gum line
- Gums that bleed easily during the exam
- Bad breath
- Loose teeth
- Spaces forming between teeth and gum tissue
In addition to visual inspection, we might take X-rays of your mouth to check for signs of bone loss in the jaw.
Gum Disease
Treatment
Prevention is the best treatment for any dental health condition – daily flossing, brushing multiple times a day, and a healthy diet can all reduce your risk for gum disease. However, studies show that approximately 30% of the U.S. population is susceptible to this condition.
Hardin Advanced Dentistry is one of the few dental clinics in the United States certified to provide gum treatment with the Oravital® system. If Dr. Tara detects the presence of germs that cause gum disease or bad breath, she might recommend using Oravital® mouth rinse to clear your mouth of harmful bacteria that puts you at risk for infection.
For patients unable to prevent gum disease, our Cincinnati dentists can provide treatment such as:
- Scaling and root planing, or deep cleaning teeth below the gum line
- Laser treatment to remove bacteria from pockets separating gum tissue from the teeth
- Some patients might benefit from soft tissue-friendly gels and toothpastes developed by PerioSciences
In extreme cases, surgical intervention might be the most appropriate treatment for severe gum disease. With our emphasis on preventative care and advanced technology and techniques, Dr. Tara will make every effort to help decrease your risk of gum disease and treat it in the early stages.
If your gums are showing signs of redness or inflammation, contact Hardin Advanced Dentistry online as soon as possible. You can also call (513) 216-2935 to schedule an appointment to discuss your gum health with one of our dentists. Dr. Tara serves patients from the Greater Cincinnati, Mason, and Dayton areas of Ohio, along with Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana.
Why choose
Dr. Tara Hardin?
Dr. Hardin is a Las Vegas Institute Fellow, granted only after a minimum of 278 hours of advanced education and experience in aesthetics, physiologic science, and a comprehensive practical examination. Additionally, she is an Accredited Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, an accreditation granted only to those with superior performance and knowledge in cosmetic and restorative dentistry. These qualifications are compounded by almost two decades of experience and continued education.
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Testimonials
What convinced me to try Hardin Dental, was that she not only emphasizes your smile, but also the health of my teeth.
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Now I smile with confidence and I have people telling me my teeth look beautiful.
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My experience at Hardin was nothing but positive. Dr. Tara Hardin made me feel very comfortable and important.
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The best thing about Hardin Advanced Dentistry is that Dr. Tara Hardin is just a perfectionist with what she does in the field of cosmetic dentistry.
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Hardin Dentistry is very professional and makes us feel extremely comfortable.
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I had a great experience at Hardin Advanced Dentistry.
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My experience at Hardin Advanced Dentistry has been wonderful.
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The thing that I like most about Hardin Advanced Dentistry is the professionalism and timeliness of her staff, and the outcome of the work that was performed on my teeth.
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Amazing dentist and staff and the best work ever! I highly recommend this place!
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From the initial phone call to my appointment, everyone treated me very kindly. I couldn't have asked for more as a patient. Thank you all for everything.
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I am so glad I am a patient here! It is a great feeling to have my "repairs" completed and now I am just in "maintenance mode with a clean bill of health at every check-up!"
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Everyone is always so pleasant and every visit is a great experience.
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Everything went very smoothly and they were very comforting and eased my worries.
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I give them 5 stars!
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Dr. Tara and her staff are the best. Organized, efficient, gentle, thorough, and very skilled are just a few of the adjectives that I would use to describe my experience.
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Best dental office ever. Dr Tara is one of the most knowledgeable dentists I've ever known.