Periodontal disease is widespread. In fact, studies from the Centers for Disease Control reveal half of adults 30 and older suffer from some stage of the disease. However, lack of care could lead to discomfort and eventually, tooth loss. But we can help! In today’s blog, your Brooklyn, NY, periodontist and dental implant expert talks about how we manage your periodontal disease!
The Causes of Periodontal Disease
What causes an issue like periodontal disease to develop? The issue usually starts with inflammation. Factors like poor brushing and flossing habits, combined with a diet high in sugar and starch, can create plaque and tartar buildup that irritates and inflames the gums. This can be exacerbated by tobacco use, a family history of poor gum health, inflammatory illnesses like diabetes, or even the use of certain medications. Without treatment to manage gingivitis, this can lead to worsening inflammation until the gums pull away from the teeth and provide pockets for harmful oral bacteria to enter. Now periodontal disease develops and without treatment to manage it, this can lead to more severe symptoms and eventually the threat of tooth loss.
The Warning Signs of Trouble
How do you know if you have periodontal disease and need treatment? People may report their gums feel sore and sensitive, especially when they floss. There could also be redness, along the gum line, and the area could bleed easily. As the issue grows in severity, there could be swelling. The reverse is possible too, recession in which the gums pull away from the teeth and make teeth appear longer than usual. This could also expose portions of the roots not protected by enamel, which are prone to decay and infection. Toothaches and tooth sensitivity could then develop.
The Impact of Periodontitis
You could then develop a higher risk of periodontitis! This is the advanced stage of the disease, which causes the attachment tissues between your teeth and gums to become weakened and erode, causing loose and missing teeth. In fact, this is the number one cause of adult tooth loss! Treatment to manage the issue and prevent tooth loss. But if tooth loss does occur, we can manage the disease and then address the gaps with lifelike and long-lasting dental implants.
Diagnosis
You can see us when you experience the symptoms we have discussed, or your general dentist may refer you to our office. When you arrive, we can conduct a diagnosis with advanced digital imagery to see if you need treatment. With intraoral cameras, we can look at the surfaces of the gums for signs of inflammation and disease. We then use digital x-rays and CT imaging to look at the roots and attachment tissues for signs of damage to the structures, so we can assess the risk of periodontitis. From there, we can plan treatment with precision and accuracy to help you enjoy optimal oral health!
Treatment Options
With a scaling and root planing, our team can remove all plaque and tartar from the teeth and roots, and from beneath the gums, which allows us to manage the issue with routine cleanings every three to four months afterward. If you have a more severe case, then we could use dental lasers to help remote diseases tissues and reshape the gum line, destroying pockets of harmful bacteria in the process.
Healing
With advanced treatments like Platelet Rich Plasma, we can inject a special autoplasm to promote healing in the underlying bone structure, and with the attachment tissues, so help your smile heal faster.
Managing Your Smile
Our team may recommend Ozone Therapy, or possibly Supportive Periodontal Maintenance to remove buildup and control inflammation to keep the disease in check for months and years to come. We may recommend medications, changes to your diet, and even better brushing and flossing habits to better protect your smile and keep your smile intact, so you avoid tooth loss. If you receive dental implants, these same actions can help protect your smile and keep your new teeth in place for decades to come, possibly a lifetime!
If you have any questions about how we diagnose and treat issues like gum disease, then contact our team today to learn more and start the treatment process. You deserve better oral health and we want to make it possible, so your smile stays full and comfortable for years to come.
Brooklyn Periodontics Discusses Treatment for Your Gums
We want to help safeguard your smile and keep it whole. For more details about periodontal treatment, then please call Brooklyn Periodontics & Implantology in Brooklyn, NY at (718) 444-3800 today.
