Understanding Periodontal Disease and Keeping it Under Control
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is gum disease. It's the disease that affects the attachment of your teeth to your gum and your bone. That's all called the periodontium. If you're experiencing recession of your gums, your bone is receding, or you have loose teeth, that is gum disease. If you have bleeding gums, it's caused by bacteria.
What is the cause of periodontal disease?
Bacteria. The causes of periodontal disease are usually bacteria that have been in your mouth for a long period of time and have not been removed professionally by a dentist, dental hygienist, or dental care professional. If you haven't seen a dentist for more than a year, chances are you have some form of gum disease, such as gingivitis. That's the beginning, and it can progress to more severe situations, such as severe periodontal disease.
What other conditions are connected to periodontal disease?
Conditions connected to periodontal disease or gum disease include diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer's, and heart issues. The bacteria found in gum disease have been detected in plaques in your heart and arteries. There are a lot of connections: low birth weight in babies born to pregnant individuals who have not been to the dentist and have gum disease. There are many connections and probably many more that we aren't even aware of yet.
Can periodontal disease be cured?
Once the disease progresses, it may not be fully curable, but we can stop or arrest it if you are diligent about coming in for dental checkups. If you are at the moderate to severe periodontal disease stage, which we can help determine, you'll need deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing.
This involves the hygienist going underneath your gum while you're numb. Afterward, you must maintain it, coming in for periodontal maintenance every three to four months to ensure tartar and other substances don't accumulate under the gum. While it's not curable since lost bone doesn't regenerate, we can definitely help improve it.
Are teeth cleaning and periodontal treatment painful?
Teeth cleaning and periodontal treatment don't have to be painful. Our dental hygienists are gentle and very respectful of your comfort during the appointment. We strive to be gentle and thorough without causing discomfort.
What are the warning signs of periodontal disease?
Warning signs of periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, include bad breath, bleeding in the gums, and pain in the gums.
When should I see a dentist?
If you think something's developing with gum disease, you should definitely see a dentist as soon as possible.
What role does the immune response play in the disease?
The immune response plays a crucial role in periodontal disease. Your immune system has to fight this disease that's eating away at your gums and bone, causing inflammation in your mouth. Your immune system will be on high alert.
How does periodontal disease progress if untreated?
Periodontal disease progresses if untreated because the tartar and bacteria causing the disease remain in the mouth. If you don't remove the source, the disease will only worsen.
Can you get crowns when you have periodontal disease?
When you have periodontal disease, you can get crowns, but there is no guarantee they will remain in your mouth long-term if your tooth loses support. Periodontal disease is the foundation of your teeth, similar to building a house on quicksand; you must address the foundation before moving on to restorative treatments such as crowns.
What treatments are available for periodontal disease?
Treatments available for periodontal disease include deep cleaning, technically called scaling and root planing. The hygienist numbs you thoroughly and goes underneath your gum to remove tartar and bacteria that have been there for a long time. You can't reach those areas with your brush or floss. The hygienist must go underneath and remove it manually.
There's also Arestin, an antibiotic placed into the pocket of the gum. If you have a deep pocket, which is a marker of periodontal disease, we can place the antibiotic there to help heal the pocket and eliminate bacteria.
Regular cleanings are also important; you should come in every six months, or more frequently if you have significant tartar buildup. We will advise you on the best schedule.
Keep Your Dental Health at Top of Mind and Schedule with MVP Family Dental
Your dental health matters to us, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. If you’re looking for expert dental care near Jenkintown, PA, call (252) 616-9444 or email [email protected] to learn more. Ready to get started? Schedule your appointment below.