Severe periodontal disease can be debilitating. It leads to tooth loss, chronic periodontitis, systemic illness and facial deformation. The less severe stages of the disease are easier to treat and don’t require invasive treatment. A periodontist offers more aggressive procedures that includes a combination of medication and surgery. Surgical treatments for gum disease depend on the depth of the damage to your gums. Come see our dentistry center and meet top rated dentists and periodontists.
Tooth loss is something that many adults face. Most of the time, it’s because of periodontitis, or gum disease. It affects adults more than children and covers a wide range of gum disease problems from mild gingivitis to severe periodontal disease.
The sequel of events that cause the oral problems are the same, but the disease progression depends a lot on you. It starts and ends with your oral hygiene. Your dentist wants you and your family to avoid the severe consequences of periodontitis and get the treatments you need early. And that also includes regular bi-annual checkups and professional cleanings.
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Know the Disease: Periodontitis
Periodontal disease is characterized by inflammation or infection of the structures surrounding your teeth. Your gums, the roots of your teeth, and even the underlying bone all play a role. It starts with mild inflammation, which is described as gingivitis, but can progress to a distinct and severe form of periodontal disease called periodontitis.
Healthy gums should be pale pink, firm, and tight around the tooth. Any alteration to this is a possible sign of early stages of periodontitis. Scheduling an appointment with our top dental specialist can catch the disease early and reverse the symptoms.
Even though periodontitis is advanced and severe periodontal disease, it takes different forms, distinguished by their features. Some forms of periodontitis include:
- Aggressive
- Chronic
- Systemic
- Necrotizing
Know What to Look for
Regardless of risk factors like poor oral hygiene, old age, tobacco use or poor-fitting dental restorations, the primary cause of periodontitis is untreated gingivitis. Gingivitis is caused by plaque — the invisible, sticky substance that forms on the teeth after eating. If you don’t clean it with daily brushing and flossing, it can harden into tartar that’s much more difficult to remove.
Tartar causes irritation beneath the gums and leads to your symptoms. They can be mild at first, but can become much worse. Symptoms include:
- Swollen tender gums
- Gums that bleed easily
- Red or dusky gums
- Bad breath
- Receding gums
What to Expect
A quick diagnosis starts to get your gums back to their healthy state. Your dentist can reach a correct diagnosis with a medical history, dental history, and a dental exam. Medical risk factors like diabetes mellitus or other systemic infections and dental restorations help your dentist decide which treatment to try.
The dental exam gives your dentist the best view of the disease state. He looks at your teeth, gums, tongue, and cheeks to check for plaque and tartar. The key part of the exam is measuring the pocket depth of your gums. One to three millimeters is healthy, while anything more than four means inflammation.
The treatment eliminates your symptoms. Your dentist accomplishes this by promoting the reattachment of the gum to the tooth, reducing swelling and the depth of the pockets, and stopping the progression of the disease.
Start at Home: Early-Stage Gum Disease
If you think you have early-stage gum disease, several practices can ease the pain and relieve symptoms:
- Brush and floss twice a day
- Use mouthwash regularly
- Get a dental cleaning every six months
Additionally, brushing after every meal and replacing your toothbrush every two to four months can help. For mild pain or discomfort, a salt water rinse not only kills bacteria, but starts the healing process. Put about a third of a teaspoon of salt in a warm glass of water and rinse twice a day. Also try to:
- Eliminate aggravating factors like chewing tobacco or smoking
- Eat a healthy diet
- Manage your blood sugar if you’re diabetic
Early Treatment and Complications
Make sure to see your Saturday dentist if your symptoms worsen or if they don’t subside within a short time. You may need antibiotics to kill off the bacteria or other measures like the antimicrobial chlorhexidine or a fluoride and antibiotic toothpaste like triclosan.
Severe periodontal disease can be debilitating. It leads to tooth loss, chronic periodontitis, systemic illness and facial deformation. The less severe stages of the disease are easier to treat and don’t require invasive treatment.
Surgery and Prognosis
For severe cases, your dentist may refer you to a periodontist. A periodontist offers more aggressive procedures that includes a combination of medication and surgery. Surgical treatments for gum disease depend on the depth of the damage to your gums. Surgeries include:
- Flap or pocket reduction surgery
- Bone grafts
- Bone surgery
With good oral hygiene routines, your symptoms should subside and your gums should return to normal in about one to two weeks. Even though some of the treatments offer a fresh start, your responsibility is to keep your mouth healthy.
Even early stages of severe periodontal disease can be a hinderance to your daily routine. Prevent the need for periodontitis treatment by taking care of your teeth. But when it’s out of your control, know where to go and who to turn to.
Conveniently located in Yonkers, Westchester, the dental clinic boast state-of-the-art, certified and approved dental treatment facilities. Make your appointment today.
Do you have any questions about periodontitis treatment? Would you like to schedule an appointment with the best in class dentists of Park Avenue Smiles? Please contact our dentistry center in Yonkers for a consultation with the periodontitis specialist.
