Periodontics

Periodontal Disease is a serious gum infection that destroys the soft tissue and bone that support your teeth. It can cause tooth loss or worse, an increased risk of heart attack or stroke and other serious health problems. Plaque is often the main cause in cases of gum disease, and this condition is common in adults of all ages — 75 percent of adults will have some type of periodontal disease in their lifetime. The two most common forms of periodontal disease are gingivitis, which is an inflammation of the gums, and periodontitis, a gum condition resulting in inflammation and affecting both the bones and tissues of the teeth.

Causes of Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is common but largely preventable, and it is usually the result of poor oral hygiene. Gum diseases are often caused by plaque buildup on your teeth from the bacteria, mucus and other particles found in your mouth. Plaque that is not removed with proper and regular brushing and flossing will harden to form tartar that brushing alone cannot remove.

In addition to plaque buildup on your teeth, gum disease is also affected by smoking, diabetes, several other illnesses, medications that reduce saliva, teeth grinding, stress and poor nutrition.

Preventing Periodontal Diseases

Daily brushing and flossing and regular professional dental cleanings can greatly reduce your chance of developing Periodontal Disease. Establishing good brushing and flossing techniques is essential to preventing gum disease, and your local dentists at Anderson Dental can spot and treat plaque buildup before it becomes periodontal disease.

By having a professional dental technician routinely treat instances of plaque, you can also reduce other diseases and health risks that are often caused when the bacteria that develops into periodontal disease gets into the bloodstream.

Signs of Gum Disease

When you have gum disease, the bacteria that’s present in plaque will often irritate your gums and teeth, resulting in the following symptoms:

Red and swollen gums
Tender gums that easily bleed
Constant bad breath
Painful chewing
Tooth sensitivity
Receding gumlines

Gum Disease Treatment Options

When detected early enough, periodontal disease can be easily treated with nonsurgical methods designed to control the infection. Effective treatments will be largely dependent on the at-home habits of the patient, and you may be asked to quit certain lifestyle habits, like smoking, to ensure lasting wellness. For those who have periodontal disease, there are two treatment options to explore:

Root Scaling and Planing: Periodontal disease begins as tartar and plaque buildup around the teeth, and scaling is the process of removing that buildup from below the gumline where normal cleanings don’t reach. Root planing is the next step, where your dentist will smooth the damaged tooth roots so your gums can more easily reattach to the tooth. Depending on the intensity of the gum disease, you may require more than one visit to completely remove all the plaque.

Medication: After periodontal treatment, your dentist may also recommend antimicrobial or systemic antibiotics. These medications are usually delivered by a tray fitted over the surface of your teeth.

Prevent Periodontal Disease With Anderson Dental

To best prevent the damaging and painful effects of periodontal disease, visit your friendly local dental technicians at Anderson Dental. Our team provides comprehensive dental-care services for adults and children located throughout Payson, Arizona, and the surrounding communities. We offer gum disease treatment, preventive checkups and cleanings, as well as cosmetic solutions. At Anderson Dental, we strive to always create soothing and comfortable atmospheres for dental patients of all ages and provide personalized care. For all new patients, we even offer free dental exams and X-rays.

Schedule an appointment with us today by calling our office at 928-474-4581 or complete our online contact form to request services.