Did you know that when you develop gum disease, this could lead to not only discomfort, but also the risk of tooth loss? Periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss, but we have a way to manage it and keep your smile full. In today’s blog, your team at Brooklyn Periodontics and Implantology talks about how the disease leads to tooth loss, and how we can help smiles in Brooklyn, NY.
The Causes of Gum Disease
When your gums become inflamed, also known as gingivitis, treatment is needed to reverse the inflammation and prevention periodontal disease. Otherwise, the inflammation could make pockets form along the gum line, which harmful oral bacteria can enter to cause periodontal disease to develop. Once the disease forms, there is no treatment to reverse it, but care is needed to manage it. Otherwise, you risk tooth loss!
Common factors behind your initial inflammation and the onset of periodontal disease include plaque and tartar buildup, poor brushing and flossing habits, tobacco use, lack of professional cleanings, and a family history of the disease. Inflammatory illnesses, such as diabetes, could be a factor too.
The Warning Signs and the Risk of Tooth Loss
What warning signs should you be aware of? Essentially, when you notice any changes to your gums, you should reach out to our team to discuss treatment. For example, your gums could appear redder than usual, and may feel sore. If you have persistent bleeding when you brush and floss, this is also a cause for concern. As the issue grows in severity, then you could experience recession in the gums that make the teeth appear longer.
As the issue reaches a stage known as periodontitis, the connective tissues between your teeth and gums could be severed, which leads to tooth loss. In fact, this is the most common cause of adult tooth loss! But with periodontic treatment, we can manage the disease to keep your smile healthy and whole!
Early Intervention
If you reach us during the early stages, we could help with a deep cleaning. Also known as a scaling and root planing, this involves gently removing all plaque and tartar from the teeth, and the exposed portions of your roots. We could also remove layers from under the gums too. We will use an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool to do so, and this could take one visit or several, it all depends on the severity of your buildup. We then polish the teeth for a brighter appearance and to limit the ability for buildup to occur. To keep the buildup in-check, we could recommend a traditional cleaning every three to four months, as well as preventive options like antimicrobial medications and ozone therapy.
Laer Treatment and Healing Systems
If we discover you have the disease in a more advanced stage, we could still offer intervention to manage it and protect your smile. With advanced dental laser systems, we can gently remove the disease parts of your gums with precision, while leaving healthy tissues intact. This can be done quickly, in one visit and often without the need for anesthesia. The lasers also limit the risk of bleeding, infection, and swelling, so the treated area heals faster.
Speaking of healing, we could also discuss treatments like Platelet Rich Plasma to help facilitate a faster healing period. This aids in the recovery from periodontic treatment, and also helps dental implant placement for people who have already lost teeth to the disease!
Managing the Disease
Our team will also discuss way you can help manage periodontal disease from home with better oral hygiene habits. To control buildup and inflammation in between visits to our team, be sur you brush and floss each day and limit the amount of sugar and starch in your diet, as these ingredients feed harmful disease-causing bacteria. Be sure you avoid tobacco products too. These actions help manage periodontal issues and keep your smile free of lost teeth. If you have lost teeth, we can help with dental implants, whether you have one lost tooth or if you have lost all of them.
If you have any questions about how we lower the risk of missing teeth, then contact our team today to learn more.
Brooklyn Periodontics Lowers the Risk of Missing Teeth
Our team wants to help take on periodontal disease so you can smile with confidence and comfort! For more details about managing periodontal disease to avoid lost teeth, then please call Brooklyn Periodontics & Implantology in Brooklyn, NY at (718) 444-3800 today.
