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Periodontal Maintenance Many adults 35 years and older suffer from premature tooth loss, with periodontal disease being the primary cause. Periodontal disease is an inflammatory gum infection that destroys the gum's ability to hold the teeth. The cases of gum disease are numerous and the condition requires proper maintenance and care to prevent further spread. Daily brushing and flossing prevents most individuals from developing gum disease, but extra attention is necessary in some cases. Ortega Family Dental provides you with maintenance and care tips in case you develop gum disease.Checking for Gum DiseasePain is the last indicator of advancement in periodontal disease. Thus, you need to regularly check your teeth for other symptoms before our professionals can confirm the presence of gum disease. Bad breath that is unbeatable with brushing is one sign. You may also feel some looseness of your teeth that affects their fit, especially when chewing or biting. As the infection advances, pus may develop in your gums. The presence of pus usually indicates in-depth damage to your gums. Also at this point, you may experience significant pain requiring you to seek immediate medical attention. What Causes Periodontal Disease?Plaque is the most common cause of gum disease. Other factors that trigger periodontal disease include smoking, diabetes, certain medications, poor nutrition, and stress. With time, food debris and saliva accumulate on the tooth surfaces to form plaque. The bacteria in this plaque produce toxins that cause gum irritations, making them tender and swollen. If not treated, the gums start to separate from the teeth, leaving spaces between the gum and tooth. Eventually, this results in tooth loss. Treating Periodontal DiseasePeriodontal disease is chronic and can recur after treatment, especially if poorly managed. To prevent this, our team will employ two approaches to treat the disease: periodontal scaling and surgery. If the spread of disease to the gums is significant with visible damage, ordinary cleaning will not be enough. Thus, you will require periodontal scaling, an extensive cleaning that removes the plaque and tartar below the gum line. This cleaning focuses on the gums, roots, and tissues affected by the disease. During scaling, all of the rough areas are smoothed out to discourage plaque buildup. The gum pockets are examined and treated accordingly. If the infection spreads to the deep gum pockets even after scaling, surgery is necessary. The surgery corrects the gum defects by reshaping the damaged parts. After treatment, the patient should practice good oral hygiene to prevent infections. Prevention of Periodontal DiseaseThe most effective ways of preventing gum disease are regular brushing and flossing, professional cleanings, and examinations. However, if you get this disease even after exercising due diligence, do not worry. With early diagnosis, it is possible to contain and cure it. To prevent periodontal disease, you need to eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, have regular dental examinations, and avoid tobacco. Tobacco causes gum inflammation that may trigger or worsen existing gum disease. If you are suffering from gum disease, you need professional care and maintenance for proper management. For more information and guidance on periodontal disease, contact Ortega Family Dental at (904) 914-4008 today. |
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