Periodontal disease is a widespread issue for adults, especially for those over the age of 30. Without treatment, this could even lead to tooth loss. In today’s blog, your Brooklyn, NY, periodontist and implant expert talks about how gum disease threatens your smile and how we can help!
The Causes of Periodontal Disease
How does periodontal disease become a problem for your smile? Various factors can lead to inflammation in the gums, such as poor brushing and flossing habits, a diet high in sugar and starch, tobacco use, and infrequent professional cleanings. These factors allow plaque and tartar to coat the teeth, which irritates and inflames the gums themselves. As this happens, the gums become red, sore, and may bleed easily. There could be swelling and even recession that makes teeth appear longer than normal. Other causes could include a family history of the disease that leaves you more vulnerable to it, as well as the presence of inflammatory illness like diabetes or even the use of certain medications. As part of your treatment, we will assess the factors that cause your disease, so we have a better idea of how to properly manage it!
Tooth Loss and Other Complications
Without treatment, the disease will only grow in severity. Eventually, periodontal disease can reach a stage known as periodontitis. At this point, recession could be severe and the portions of the roots not protected by enamel could be exposed, leading to tooth decay and infection. The connective tissues between your teeth and gums could also deteriorate, which leads to loose and missing teeth. To avoid losing your teeth and other major complications, we could recommend treatment to manage even the severe cases of the disease, which could involve the use of dental lasers!
Treatment Options
For the early stages, we could use a deep cleaning followed by periodontal maintenance every few months to control buildup and keep your smile healthy and strong. If you have a more severe stage, we could use dental laser systems to remove disease portions and reshape the gums, so you have a healthier and more attractive smile. We again follow this with preventive care every few months to keep your smile intact. If you have lost teeth due to periodontal disease, we could help with dental implants.
If you have any questions about the risk that gum disease poses for your smile, or about how we can help, then contact our team today to learn more.
Schedule Your Gum Disease Treatment with Brooklyn Periodontics
Our team is ready to manage your periodontal concerns and keep your smile whole. For more information on managing gum disease, please call Brooklyn Periodontics & Implantology in Brooklyn, NY at (718) 444-3800 today.
