When most people think about oral hygiene, they assume the most important thing is to brush their teeth twice daily to avoid tooth decay. In fact, gum health is just as essential according to this family dentist in lancaster. It affects not just the health of patients’ teeth but also the rest of their bodies.
Gum infections can be quite painful. They start out as gingivitis, then progress to more serious forms of gum disease like periodontal disease. Read on to find answers to seven common questions about this serious, and surprisingly common, problem.
1. What Causes Periodontal Disease?
There are many risk factors for periodontal disease, including poor oral hygiene habits, tobacco use, hormone fluctuations, underlying health conditions, medication use, and family history. While some of these risk factors are beyond patients’ control, others can be reduced through good home oral health care and regular visits to family dental services.
2. Is Periodontal Disease Really That Bad?
While gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease, is usually easy to treat with oral hygiene and lifestyle changes, periodontitis poses far more of a threat to patients’ health. It causes the gums to recede, pulling them away from the teeth and allowing harmful bacteria an easy entry point. Over time, those bacteria can erode not just gums and teeth but also patients’ jawbones, ultimately resulting in missing teeth.
In severe cases, the bacteria responsible for periodontal disease can also travel to other parts of the body via the patient’s bloodstream. Once they enter the bloodstream, the bacteria can increase the patient’s risk of developing serious health complications like heart disease, strokes, and diabetes. In other words, periodontal disease really is that bad.
3. How Can Patients Prevent Periodontal Disease?
The best way to prevent periodontal disease is to practice excellent oral hygiene. Patients should brush twice a day, floss daily, and use mouthwash regularly. Those who are at high risk as a result of medication use, underlying illnesses, or genetics may also want to schedule more frequent visits with their dentists.
4. What Are the Early Signs of Periodontal Disease?
In its early stages, periodontal disease is often painless. Patients may notice bad breath or lingering odors and red, swollen, or bleeding gums. In more advanced stages, patients may develop loose or shifting teeth and pockets between their teeth and gums.
5. How Is Periodontitis Treated?
While gingivitis usually goes away on its own after patients make appropriate oral hygiene and lifestyle changes, periodontitis requires specialized treatment from a periodontist. There are both surgical and non-surgical treatments available. Periodontists usually recommend the least invasive procedures given the stage of the disease.
6. What Are the Non-Surgical Options for Treatment?
Mild to moderate cases of periodontal disease can usually be treated using a process known as scaling and root planing, or “deep cleaning.” During a deep cleaning, the periodontist will use a local anesthetic to numb the patient’s gums, then use specialized instruments to remove the plaque from beneath the gum line before smoothing down the root’s surface to reduce the chances of further infections. Patients may also be prescribed medications to be administered at home using dental trays.
7. What Are the Surgical Options?
Severe cases of periodontal disease may require surgical interventions. Depending on the condition of the patient’s gums, surgical treatments can include gum grafts, gum flap surgery, and if the patient has already suffered irreversible tooth damage, the placement of dental implants.
The Bottom Line
Periodontal disease is a serious problem that can lead to lost teeth and increased risks of developing other health conditions. Anyone who thinks he or she may have periodontitis should schedule an appointment with a periodontist right away.