Did you know that the term periodontal simply means “around the tooth”? Proper periodontal care in Candler, NC, prevents a periodontal disease that destroys the gums and the bone tissues that support your teeth. To avoid this serious oral health issue, it’s best to familiarize yourself with periodontal health.
Frequently Asked Questions About Periodontal Disease
What Exactly Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease or gum disease is characterized by an infection that occurs in the gum tissue. This condition is caused by bacteria that live in the buildup of plaque on the teeth.
Furthermore, periodontal disease comes in two types including gingivitis and periodontitis. While gingivitis can be reversed by practicing proper dental hygiene habits, periodontitis is irreversible and typically involves bone and tooth loss.
What Are the Symptoms of Periodontal Disease?
Since the disease is usually painless in the early stages, most people who have it aren’t even aware that they do. The first stage of periodontal disease is called gingivitis that typically begins with red, swollen, sore, and bleeding gums until the bacteria eventually destroys the connective tissue that supports the teeth. These symptoms are usually accompanied by wider periodontal pockets, receding gums, tooth sensitivity, bone loss, loose teeth, and bad breath.
What Is the Best Treatment for Periodontal Disease?
If periodontal disease is caught early, non-surgical methods that include antibiotic therapy or scaling and planing may be used to treat it. However, when the disease has advanced to its later stages, bone surgery may be required.
Can I Keep My Teeth Even If I Have Periodontal Disease?
With regular professional dental cleaning, you can still improve your oral health and keep your teeth. However, if the periodontal disease is left untreated, it can quickly progress into a more severe stage of periodontitis that ultimately results in tooth loss.
Can I Do Something To Treat My Own Periodontal Disease?
If your case hasn’t progressed to the later stages of periodontal disease, you can still treat it by practicing proper oral hygiene habits. However, once the periodontal disease has taken hold, you’d have already gone past the gingivitis stage. At this point, your condition is irreversible.
How Can Periodontal Disease Affect My General Health?
Research confirms the link between periodontal disease and other types of serious medical conditions including heart disease, strokes, respiratory disease, ulcers, and diabetes.
Can Interdental Brushing Stop Periodontitis?
No, interdental brushing won’t do anything to stop periodontitis. However, it’s still an integral part of an excellent oral health care routine which typically includes the following:
- Brushing your teeth for at least two minutes in the morning and just before bed with the use of fluoride toothpaste.
- Rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash after taking your lunch and dinner.
- Using floss to clean in between teeth at least once per day.
What Are Some Examples of Periodontal Surgery Treatments?
Periodontal surgery treatments include pocket reduction, gum grafts, bone regeneration, and root planing. Pocket reduction involves the removal of infected areas and cleaning up the damaged bone to allow the gum to reattach normally.
Gum grafts use soft tissue from other areas of the mouth to graft over the gum area that has been lost. On the other hand, bone regeneration techniques are used to restore the bone that supports the teeth. Although root planing is similar to routine dental cleaning, the dentist goes much deeper down the root of the tooth.
Do You Need Periodontal Care in Candler NC?
At Cataloochee Dental Group, we’re ready to provide you with the dental care you need to safeguard your smile. Contact us today to schedule your first consultation.