Periodontal Maintenance and Care At Cleary Dental, our dentists are experienced in providing multiple treatment options for gum disease. Periodontitis is most commonly known as gum disease. This condition begins with bacteria in your mouth and can become very damaging if it progresses and destroys the tissue that surrounds your teeth. Without treatment, periodontitis may destroy supporting bones and cause tooth loss.If you have periodontitis, the inner layer of your gums will begin to pull away from your teeth. When this happens, pockets will form between your teeth and gums. Pockets will allow bacteria to grow between your teeth and gums which will lead to a serious infection. Additionally, plaque will grow beneath your gum line. As the plaque spreads, your body’s immune system will attack the bacteria. As the disease progresses the pockets will grow deeper, and more bone tissue will be destroyed. This causes your teeth to become loose because they lack the structure that normally anchors them in place. You are at a higher risk of developing gum disease if you have diabetes because of its effect on the blood sugar in your body. If you have an illness that affects your immune system, it will most likely be able to have a negative effect on your oral health too. The development of gum disease can be caused by your family history. Certain medications can negatively affect your gums because they can cause a growth of gum tissue or lessen your saliva flow. The Difference Between Gum Disease and GingivitisIf you forget to brush your teeth, floss and use mouthwash, a film called plaque made up of food and bacteria will cover your teeth. The acids released by plaque will damage your tooth enamel and cause decay. Plaque hardens and becomes tartar after 72 hours. This is what causes inflammation in your gums and causes gingivitis. Gingivitis may precede gum disease, but not all gingivitis leads to gum disease. Gingivitis is a common disease that you may get during your lifetime, luckily it is easier to treat than gum disease. Typically, the symptoms of gingivitis are mild, but should not be ignored. The symptoms of gingivitis include red gums, swollen gums, sensitive gums, and bleeding while you brush your teeth. Gingivitis is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. At this stage, irreversible damage can occur to your gum tissue and bone structure. If you are experiencing pain caused by periodontitis or gingivitis, now is the time to get treatment and save your teeth before your symptoms worsen. If you are nervous about your visit, know that any anxiety or discomfort in regard to treatment will be far less than living with the pain caused by gingivitis or living without your teeth if the disease progresses. At Cleary Dental our dentists are experienced in providing the best treatment for patients with gum disease. Consult with our dental professionals by calling us now at (856) 528-8607. |
