Periodontal (gum) disease is today’s leading cause of tooth loss in adults. The progressive condition affects almost 50 percent of Americans age 30 and older and more than 70 percent of adults age 65 and older. That’s why your trusted team at Main Street Dental Smiles emphasizes the prevention, treatment, and management of periodontal disease. We are all about maintaining a lifetime of healthy smiles.
What Are the Causes of Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease usually develops when plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, irritates the gums and causes inflammation. Symptoms of gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, include red, swollen, and bleeding gums. The good news is that treatment and meticulous oral hygiene care can usually reverse gingivitis and restore your gum health.
How Does Periodontal Disease Affect Your Oral Health?
Left untreated, gingivitis can progress to a non-reversible, potentially destructive condition known as periodontitis, which can wreak havoc on your oral health. The gum tissues start pulling away from the teeth, leaving pockets that trap plaque-bacteria and debris.
Periodontitis symptoms include:
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- A metallic taste in the mouth
- Gum Recession
- Gaps between the teeth where the gums have receded
- Tooth sensitivity
- Loose teeth
If not treated, periodontal disease will continue to progress and destroy the bone and tissues supporting the teeth, potentially resulting in bone and tooth loss.
Periodontal disease also affects your overall health. Studies show a direct link between periodontal disease and a host of health concerns, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, pregnancy problems, and more.
How Is Periodontal Disease Treated?
The most effective approach to treating and managing periodontal disease is a non-surgical deep cleaning known as scaling and root planing. Scaling is similar to what you can expect during your routine dental cleaning. Our hygienist will scrape and clean off plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth and below the gumline. The next part of treatment is root planing, which involves smoothing out the rough areas of the tooth roots to prevent future plaque buildup and promote gum reattachment to the clean, smooth tooth surfaces.
Some cases require oral or topical antibiotics to control the infection. If the inflammation and infection persist, we may recommend surgical intervention.
What Happens Post-Treatment?
After treatment, It is important to maintain meticulous oral hygiene practices to prevent the recurrence or progression of gum disease. Moreover, we will likely recommend periodontal maintenance visits every three months rather than the standard twice-a-year routine dental visits. Our goal is to ensure your gums and bone stay healthy and sound.
Quality Periodontal Care in Whitesboro, TX
Visit Main Street Dental Smiles to learn more about preventing, treating, and managing gum disease. Drs. Fort and Schilling, our acclaimed prosthodontist, is committed to providing exceptional care to promote long-term healthy smiles. Call us at 903-564-3451 and schedule your appointment today!