Family Dental Discount

Periodontal (gum) disease is the term that refers to an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. Typically, this condition is caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that can lead to plaque buildup. In a more advanced stage of the disease, the gums may appear swollen and bleeding, and can eventually lead to tooth loss.

Periodontal disease is a threat to your oral health. Research reveals that seventy percent of adult tooth loss is attributed to periodontal disease. The early symptoms of periodontal disease may appear silent. The symptoms may be painless and mild swollen gums or bleeding while brushing. Regular visit with your dentist is important because a dental professional can detect, treat, and reverse the ugly signs of gum disease.

Who gets gum disease?

Many individuals do not show signs of gum disease until they reach the age of 30 to 40 years. It is very rare for the younger individuals to develop periodontal diseases. Gingivitis commonly occurs among teenagers. Most commonly, periodontal disease develops when there is plaque buildup along and under the gum line.

What are the risk factors?

• Smoking. This bad habit plays as the top significant risk factor associated with the development of periodontal disease. Smoking can also lower the success rate of getting treated from this disease.

• Hormonal change among women. Low level of female hormone called estrogen makes the gum sensitive that eventually leads to gingivitis.

• Diabetes. Diabetic people are prone to develop infections.

• Medications. Some medications can contribute to the development of gum disease. Antidepressant and antihypertensive medications lessen the flow of saliva inside the mouth. Saliva protects our gums and teeth.

• Stress. Research reveals that stress can make the immune system of a person to get weak that can make them more susceptible to infection including gum disease.

• Illnesses. There are diseases like AIDS that make a person more prone to infection, including gum problems.

What are the symptoms of gum disease?

The following symptoms are usually evident during the advanced stage of gum disease.

• Halitosis or bad breath that don’t go away

• Reddish or swollen gums

• Bleeding gums especially when brushing

• Pain upon chewing

• Loose and sensitive teeth

How can gum disease be prevented?

The ugly signs of gum disease can be reversed in many ways. To maintain a good periodontal health is a serious job and it requires a serious commitment to oral hygiene. The following simple tasks are very helpful to prevent the occurrence of any gum disease:

• Brush your teeth at least thrice a day with dentist-recommended toothpaste.

• Make sure to use dental floss in cleaning in between teeth.

• Visit your dental specialist for a routine check-up and professional cleaning.

• Make sure to eat a well balanced diet.

• Do not smoke.

What are the treatments available?

The ultimate goal of the dental treatment is to control infection. The types of treatment vary according to the needs of the patient. Any type of treatment will require the patient to keep a strict and dedicated daily home care. It is also important to do some lifestyle modifications like quitting from the bad habit of smoking.

There are medications that can be used as part of the treatment plan. Scaling and root planning are good alternative treatment but they cannot replace the surgical intervention. Dental scraping means scraping off the tartar from the areas around the gum line while root planning is removing the rough spots of the tooth root where the bacteria accumulates. It depends on the extent on gum disease if the dentist will prefer to do surgical procedure to cure this disease.

You must see your dentist at least twice a year. This period would allow you to keep a watchful eye on your dental health. You should have a good oral hygiene to achieve a good status of your dental health. Look for a qualified dental professional to treat your gum problems. The state-of-the-art facilities of Chandler dental will help your dentist diagnose your problem and plan for your treatment.