Periodontics
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.
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 crucial 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. Therefore, practicing good hygiene and preventing gum disease through regular brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings is critical.
Signs of Gum Disease and Treatment
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 (including 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 gingivitis is 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 (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.
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) 282-1773 or messaging us online.
