Good oral health involves more than keeping your teeth cavity-free. You need to keep your gums healthy, too. A growing body of scientific research continues to reveal significant relationships between periodontal health and systemic health. People who battle periodontal disease are at greater risk of heart attack, stroke and even diabetes.
What is Periodontal Disease?
Your gums are designed to fit snugly around your teeth. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, begins when plaque forms around your teeth. Plaque combines with saliva and turns into tartar over time. This tartar irritates the gums and releases toxins that create inflammation and infection in the gums. This destroys the snug fit between teeth and gums and results in the creation of deep pockets.
These pockets allow more room for bacteria to accumulate and if left untreated, can result in gum recession, bone degeneration and ultimately, tooth loss.
Treating Periodontal Disease
We are here to help you keep your gums healthy. Our team of dental professionals may recommend root detoxification if you have periodontal disease. This is a deep cleaning procedure that removes tartar from your teeth and their roots. We typically do this over a couple of visits to our Cumming, GA dental office, and we administer a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable during treatment.
The local anesthetic is delivered using an Onset Anesthetic Buffer, which results in little to no stinging upon injection.
An antimocrobial agent such as Arestin often is used in conjunction with the root detoxification procedure to reduce bacteria around the gums.
It is important to remember that regular dental cleanings aren’t enough to combat periodontal disease if you already have it. Deep cleanings are necessary because they go below the gum to remove buildup from your teeth’s roots. Gum disease can’t be cured; only controlled.
Good at-home care, combined with more frequent professional cleanings every three to four months help prevent recurrence of this disease.
The Stages of Periodontal Disease
Plaque inflame gums and bleeds easily.
The beginning of bone and tissue loss around the tooth.
More bone and tissue destruction.
Extensive bone and tissue loss. Teeth may become loose.
Signs of Periodontal Disease
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Bleeding when performing your dental hygiene routine
- Receding gums that cause the teeth to look longer
- Loose or separating teeth
- Pus between your gums and teeth
- Sores in your mouth
- Chronic bad breath
- A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- A change in the fit of partial dentures
Periodontal Disease Risk Factors
- Age
- Use of tobacco products
- Systemic diseases including diabetes
- Some medications
- Genetics
- Female hormonal changes