If you notice issues with your gums like soreness, bleeding or loose teeth, you want to make an appointment with Sky Dental immediately because you have symptoms of periodontal disease. When periodontal disease progresses it is called chronic periodontitis. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), gum disease affects almost 50 percent of adults above the age of 30 in the U.S.
Periodontal disease is serious. You can have loss of bone and tissue making your teeth feel loose. Chronic periodontitis is the most common form of this gum disease. It can happen at any age and may progress slowly over time with possible periods of rapid deterioration. The most harmful form is aggressive periodontitis which can surface in people who are healthy overall.
Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
It is important if you have any of the symptoms of gum disease that you make an immediate appointment with your Phoenix dentist at Sky Dental. The earlier the disease is found, the better your options for treatment.
- red, tender, or swollen gums
- bad breath
- changes in the position of your teeth or loose teeth
- receding gums
- gums that bleed when you brush your teeth or floss
- buildup of plaque or tartar on your teeth
- tooth loss
- sensitive teeth
Gum Disease Causes
Poor oral hygiene is the typical cause of gum disease. When you don’t have good habits of brushing and flossing well, plaque builds up on your teeth and hardens over time. Plaque is a form of bacteria which combines with mucus and particles to form layers on teeth. Hard plaque is called tartar, and it can’t be cleaned by brushing. It can only be removed by your dentist or hygienist.
The number one issue beyond oral hygiene is smoking. Not only does it cause gum disease, but smoking also makes it difficult to treat. Other factors include illnesses like Type 2 diabetes, heredity, crowded teeth and medications.
Gum Treatments
At your dental appointment, your dental hygienist and dentist will examine your gums taking note of inflammation, checking pockets around your teeth where the gum is not hugging the tooth as it should, and ask questions about your medical history. They will most likely take x-rays to check for bone loss.
If the periodontal disease is present, your Phoenix dentist will start with the least invasive procedures. Often what is needed is a good cleaning and then the use of special toothpaste or mouthwash.
In a more advanced case, the dentist may recommend scaling to remove the bacteria and tartar from your teeth and gums. Another recommended treatment may be root planing where the surface of the roots are smoothed helping to keep away bacteria and tartar.
Antibiotics may also be used to get control of the bacterial infection. They can be given to you in the form of rinses, gels, or tablets.
The most advanced cases may require a treatment plan including dental surgery. These may include:
- Tissue-stimulating proteins which are applied to the damaged root. It is used to promote bone and tissue growth.
- Soft tissue grafts using tissue from the roof of your mouth and attaching it to the gum that has receded. This can reduce receding gums and cover exposed roots.
- Flap surgery which reduces the pockets that develop with the disease. Tiny incisions are made in the gum for better cleaning of the roots. The bone is treated before the gums are stitched back in their place.
- Bone grafting is done when periodontitis has deteriorated the bone around the tooth root. The graft helps prevent the loss of your teeth and can lead to regrowth of your bone.
How Do I Avoid Periodontal Disease Phoenix?
Good oral hygiene is always the best line of defense. It includes brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing regularly to remove the plaque. You can also use a water flosser. It is important to keep your Sky Dental appointments for check ups every six months. Furthermore, if you smoke, quit.
There is a great deal of research done about the connection between gum problems and other diseases. Some research has noted that advanced gum disease is associated with conditions like stroke and diabetes. These cases are just more examples where seeing your dentist regularly can catch a problem early and spare you more extensive treatments.
At Sky Dental, we want all of our patients to be healthy and ready for years of smiles! Brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily, eat a well balanced diet. See your dentist every six months for better oral health that day and all the days after that! Schedule an appointment now.