Periodontal Disease
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Commonly known as gum disease, periodontal disease begins as gingivitis before eventually progressing into periodontitis. These conditions affect nearly half of all American adults over the age of 30, and the likelihood of gum disease increases as time passes by. Fortunately, proper dental hygiene habits and professional dental treatment can help keep periodontal disease at bay.
Causes of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease stems from the growth of plaque, a sticky substance on the teeth that presents the perfect environment for bacterial growth. Regular brushing and flossing can help keep the growth of this bacteria to a minimum, but without the appropriate dental care, plaque will harden into tarter, which is much tougher to remove. This tarter supports bacterial growth, and can eventually spread below the gumline, causing inflammation and other difficulties.
Periodontal Disease Risk Factors
Infrequent or improper brushing and flossing play a major role in the development of periodontal disease, but other risk factors can also contribute. These might include:
- Cancer
- Defective dental work (fillings, bridges, etc.)
- Diabetes
- Family history of gum disease
- Medications
- Smoking
- Stress
- And more…
If you believe that any of these risk factors affect you, be sure to keep an eye out for the most common symptoms of periodontal disease, which can include abnormally bright or dark gums, swollen gums, bleeding gums, receding gum line, bad breath and more.
Periodontal Disease Treatment
Symptoms of periodontal disease should always be taken seriously, as the condition could eventually lead to severe bone, gum and tooth damage. But even if you’ve begun to experience symptoms of gum disease, attentive periodontal disease treatment could help mitigate the issue. The course of treatment may include:
- Prophylaxis or Debridement: This process begins with scaling, which involves removing the plaque and tarter that’s causing your symptoms. Your dentist may also use root planing to smooth out the roots of
- your teeth, reducing the likelihood of bacteria growth while helping your gums heal.
- Antimicrobial mouthwash: Often offered via prescription, these rinses help kill pesky bacteria.
- Oral antibiotics: These medications manifest in the form of tablets or capsules.
- Chemotherapeutic Agents: Usually used in conjunction with scaling and root planing, these
- products are inserted into your periodontal pockets for bacteria control.
However, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to periodontal disease. Scaling and Root Planing treatments may do the trick, while some patients require a more serious approach, such as periodontal surgery.
Red Bank’s Periodontal Disease Treatment Experts
Eager to discover a solution to your periodontal disease symptoms? Schedule an appointment at Red Bank Smiles today, or contact us to learn more about diagnosis and available treatment options.
