Periodontal disease treatment

Periodontal Disease Treatment

Symptoms of Periodontal Disease If you have periodontal disease, then you must have treatment to avoid losing teeth from the infection. The symptoms of periodontal disease include: • Tender gums • Pus around your teeth • Bleeding gums • Loose teeth • Halitosis • Receding gums • Toothaches • Discolored gum tissue • Foul taste in your mouth When you have these problems, it is imperative to visit a dentist who understands how to treat periodontal disease. Call our office immediately.

Causes of Periodontal Disease Periodontal disease is caused by a layer of plaque on your teeth that infects your gum tissue with its bacteria.

If you are brushing and flossing your teeth on a regular basis along with visiting a dentist for professional cleanings, then you will rarely develop periodontal disease.

It is imperative to seek treatment immediately for periodontal disease because the toxins from the plaque can lead to infections in the bones of your face and the dental roots of your teeth.

The Dangers of Having Periodontal Disease A large percentage of adults have the beginning stages of periodontal disease near a few teeth that are difficult to clean due to poor alignment.

When you have a mild case of periodontal disease, don’t assume that it isn’t dangerous for your overall dental health because it can lead to a more serious condition that causes tooth loss.

Experts believe that 70% of tooth loss in adults is due to periodontal disease, and the condition may contribute to other health problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus or strokes.

Your Gum Pockets Will be Measured by Your Dentist

The good news is that a dentist can remove the plaque that surrounds your teeth along with treating any infection that is affecting your gum tissue.

An important aspect of an examination for periodontal disease is having the pockets that surround your teeth measured using a specialized probe. If you have healthy gum pockets, then you won’t experience any bleeding from the tissue and the spaces around your teeth are small.

There Are Four Stages of Gum Health If your dentist notices any tooth movement, inflammation, bleeding or large dental pocket depth, then it is important to begin periodontal disease treatment right away. There are four stages of gum health that include: − Healthy gums – no bleeding or deep pockets − Gingivitis – swollen, red or bleeding gum tissue

− Periodontitis – deep pockets that contain hardened plaque − Advanced periodontitis – loss of alveolar bone and infected ligaments Specialized treatment is necessary for advanced periodontitis, including scaling and root planing. If you have mild to moderate gingivitis, then we will recommend more checkups and routine dental cleaning to remove plaque.

How to Prevent Periodontal Disease To avoid developing periodontal disease that can lead to tooth loss, make sure to brush and floss your teeth after meals. In addition, you can use an electric toothbrush, oral irrigator or mouthwash to get rid of additional plaque and bacteria.

It’s important to visit your dentist every six months for an examination and professional cleaning.