Experiencing persistent pain or noticing changes in your gum tissue? Don’t ignore these signs of periodontal disease. Seek immediate treatment at Beechwood Dental in Clarksville, IN. Our dental team offers periodontic services, using advanced techniques to reverse or halt gum disease progression and prevent recurrence.
Dr. Xuanyi Li is committed to helping you maintain healthy gums for a lifetime of smiles. Your gum health is important not just for your teeth, but for your overall well-being too. Gum disease treatment is a general dentistry service that keeps your teeth and gums healthy and prevents the spread of infection.
Periodontics: What is It, and Why Does It Matter?
While gum health is often overlooked, Beechwood Dental wants our patients to understand that periodontal health is just as important as dental health. Periodontic dentistry is the specialty devoted to protecting your gums, smile, and overall well-being.
Through attentive diagnosis and treatment, our dental team can protect patients against the profound, progressive implications of gum disease. Although gum disease can be prevented and managed through excellent oral hygiene, the fact remains that periodontal disease runs rampant in adult populations in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of adults aged 30 years and over have some form of gum disease. While bacterial overgrowth and inflammation in the gums cause periodontal disease, certain risk factors (like smoking, diabetes, stress, and pregnancy) can increase the likelihood of developing and worsening the condition.
Gum health is often taken for granted, yet it plays a vital role in overall wellness. Unfortunately, gum disease can have much more dire consequences than people realize because chronic gingival (gum) inflammation can exacerbate immune responses throughout the body. Thus, certain systemic diseases (like cardiovascular issues, dementia, and diabetes) tend to worsen when an individual is diagnosed with periodontal disease. Practicing good hygiene and preventing gum disease through regular brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings is important.
Understanding Gum Disease
Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is an infection that affects the tissues surrounding your teeth. This condition begins when bacteria in plaque build up between your gums and teeth. Many people don’t realize they have gum disease because it often develops without obvious symptoms in its early stages.
When left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to serious problems, including tooth loss, and is connected to other health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. That’s why Dr. Li and our team take gum health very seriously.
Stages of Periodontal Disease
Gum disease progresses through several stages. Gingivitis is the earliest stage where your gums might look red, swollen, or bleed when you brush or floss. The good news is that gingivitis is completely reversible with proper dental care. Regular cleanings and improved home care can restore your gums to health.
Periodontitis develops when gingivitis is left untreated. At this stage, the infection begins to damage the bone and connective tissues that hold your teeth in place. Pockets form between your teeth and gums, trapping food and plaque. You might notice bad breath, tender gums, or pain when chewing.
Advanced periodontitis is the final stage, where significant damage occurs to the fibers and bone supporting your teeth. Your teeth may become loose, shift in position, or even fall out. At this point, aggressive treatment is needed to control the infection.
Signs and Treatment Options
Gum disease is a complicated, multi-stage disease. Although gum disease can start as a silent struggle with little to no warning signs, ignoring the condition can lead to more severe symptoms like gum recession, loose teeth, and tooth loss.
The earliest stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis, a mild gum infection. Classic gingivitis symptoms include bleeding gums when brushing or painful, swollen gums. Fortunately, gingivitis can be reversed through periodontal cleaning. If ignored, symptoms worsen and advance into periodontal disease. In the more complex stages, periodontal disease symptoms include bad breath, discomfort or sensitivity while eating, loose teeth, gum recession, or changes in bite and permanent dentition, or the arrangement and condition of teeth.
The severity of symptoms influences the course of gum disease treatment. After reviewing your gum health, our Clarksville dentists can decide which treatment options can improve your symptoms, including scaling and root planing (deep dental cleaning), periodontal flap surgery, and removing and replacing loose teeth.
Prevention and Risk Factors
Prevention is always better than treatment. Keep your gums healthy by brushing twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush, cleaning between teeth daily with floss, eating a balanced diet, limiting sugary foods, avoiding tobacco products, and visiting Dr. Li regularly for check-ups. Certain factors can increase your risk of developing gum disease, including age, genetics, hormonal changes, certain medications, systemic diseases like diabetes, stress, poor nutrition, and tobacco use. Being aware of these factors can help you take extra care if needed.
Schedule a Consultation
Whether you’re exhibiting gum disease symptoms or want to be proactive in the fight against periodontal disease, our experienced dentists and dental team are here to help. Set your smile up for success and schedule periodontic services in Clarksville, IN, by calling (812) 506-2294 or messaging us online.