What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease, commonly called gum disease, is more than just gum disease. It's the disease of the bone that supports your teeth and the gums and everything surrounding that.
What are the causes of periodontal disease?
Gum disease is often caused by bacteria that surrounds your gums and teeth. The waste products that the bacteria produce cause the gums to get inflamed, swell up, and lead to the bone receding.
What are the symptoms of periodontal disease?
Most of the time, there are very few symptoms of gum disease. However, you may notice bleeding of the gums, loosening of the teeth, or a bad odor in your mouth caused by bacteria buildup around your teeth.
What other conditions are connected to periodontal disease?
One of the main conditions connected to periodontal disease is diabetes. Those with diabetes are more susceptible to gum disease. If diabetes is not under control, it can worsen gum disease and vice versa. Smoking is another condition closely connected to gum disease.
Can periodontal disease be cured?
Periodontal disease can be controlled, similar to conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes. These are conditions that can be controlled if the right actions are taken.
What treatment options are available for fighting periodontal disease?
Treatment options for fighting periodontal disease include regular dentist visits, ensuring your gums are checked and evaluated. Other treatments include scaling, root planing, which is another term for a deep cleaning, as well as good oral hygiene, brushing, and flossing to prevent bacteria buildup around your teeth.
Are teeth cleaning and periodontal treatment painful?
Teeth cleaning and periodontal treatment should not be painful. We have many ways to control any discomfort during these procedures, such as the use of topical and local anesthetics. Once the gum inflammation subsides, it should not be painful at all.
How can I schedule a dental appointment?
You can schedule a dental appointment by calling our office, Montpelier Family Dentistry. We'll be happy to schedule an appointment for you. If you have any more questions about gum disease or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Periodontal disease refers to an inflammation in your gums that results in soreness and tenderness. When you do not address the condition on time, it advances into other stages, thus worsening it. In the worst-case scenario, we may have to extract your teeth to prevent infection from spreading.
It would be best if you visit us after experiencing symptoms of the problem. We will address it on time and keep the infection from spreading.
What are the Warning Signs of Periodontal Disease?
- You may experience excessive bleeding from your gums, and your gums may become red, tender, and swollen.
- Your gums may feel pulled away from your teeth.
- Bad breath and bad taste
- Loosening or separating of your permanent teeth
- Any change in the way your teeth fit when you bite food.
- Any change in your dental restorations like dentures.
What are the Causes of Periodontal Disease?
- Changes in Hormone
Periodontal disease is common during the events such as menopause, puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy when your gums become very sensitive to decay and infection.
- Diseases
Various diseases such as cancer and HIV interfere with your immune system and lead to periodontal disease. According to a study, diabetes also puts you at a higher risk of developing this condition. Gum disease is also a result of the family history.
- Medication
Some medications may affect your oral health as they lessen the flow of your saliva, thus leading to periodontal disease.
- Lifestyle Habits
Poor oral hygiene, excessive smoking, consumption of alcohol, and ill dietary habits also infect your gums.
How to Treat Periodontal Disease?
- Professional Dental Cleaning
We will carry out your dental check-up and prepare you for professional dental cleaning. Under the procedure, we will remove the accumulation of plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth and your gum line. The procedure is quick and hassle-free and ensures thorough cleaning of your mouth.
Professional dental cleaning also includes scaling and root planing. Under scaling, we scrape away the deposits of plaque and tartar from your teeth and gum line. Root planing includes smoothing the rough spots and removing the bacteria to provide a clean surface to your gums.
- Flap Surgery
We lift back your gums to remove the tartar from under your gum line. This method is also used to reduce space between your gums and teeth to avoid the growth and spread of bacteria in the space.
- Bone grafts
This surgical procedure includes using fragments of your bone or synthetic bone to replace the bone destroyed because of periodontal disease.
To find out more about the dental services we offer at Montpelier Family Dentistry, Laurel, MD, call (301) 812-4599 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit Dentist in Laurel MD at 14502 Greenview Dr #100, Laurel, MD, 20708.