You want your house to be built on a solid foundation because the foundation is responsible for supporting the structure where you live. Have you ever thought about your gums being the foundation responsible for holding and protecting your teeth? Taking care of your gums is essential to your oral health and overall well-being, so preventing and treating periodontal disease is extremely important to your dentist in Urbandale.
At Northpark Dental, we offer gum disease treatment that begins with preventive teeth cleanings and checkups because we want to screen for any early signs of gum disease. Understanding gum disease and its effects can help you keep your mouth’s foundation strong and healthy.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection in your gums that can lead to tooth loss. Periodontal disease is mostly preventable but also widespread; almost half the adults in the United States suffer from some form of gum disease. Some people seem to be naturally susceptible to periodontal disease, but many people get gum disease because they don’t practice good oral hygiene.
The symptoms of gum disease are as follows:
- Red gums
- Sore gums
- Swollen gums
- Bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Bad taste in your mouth
- Pain when you chew
- Gum recession
- Loose teeth
Types of Periodontal Disease
When your gums are healthy, they are pink and firm to the touch, and they shouldn’t be swollen or bleeding. There are several stages of gum disease, which often happen gradually and without pain, so it’s sometimes difficult to know that you have periodontal disease. The four stages of gum disease are as follows:
Gingivitis – During this early stage of gum disease, you may experience red and puffy gums and some bleeding when you brush and floss your teeth. Gingivitis is reversible as long as you visit your Johnston dentist for treatment.
Mild periodontitis – If gingivitis is left untreated, the bacteria in your mouth will move below your gumline and can begin to affect the bones that support your teeth. Your gums may start to pull away from your teeth, creating pockets or gaps where plaque can build up.
Moderate periodontitis – Once the bacteria and plaque increase under the gumline, the soft tissues and bone that hold your teeth in place begin to erode, which can cause a severe infection. You may experience pain at this stage, and you may have pus around your gumline, as well as bad breath.
Advanced periodontitis – As the condition worsens, you can lose bone in your mouth. Eventually, this can cause your teeth to become loose, and they may be at risk of falling out.
Gum Disease Treatment and Maintenance in Urbandale
Dental plaque is the leading cause of periodontal disease; plaque is full of different types of bacteria that can cause an infection. That’s why preventive dental care is the first step in avoiding gum disease. However, if you do need gum disease treatment, there are different options available to you:
Professional dental cleanings and improved oral hygiene – If you are in the early stages of gum disease, your dentist can professionally clean your teeth to remove the plaque that has built up along the gumline. Combined with a diligent oral hygiene regimen, you can reverse gum disease because you haven’t experienced any bone loss at this point.
Scaling and root planing – If you have mild periodontitis, you may require scaling and root planing. This treatment is similar to a dental cleaning, but your dentist will clean below your gumline; this is known as scaling. After the scaling, your dentist will smooth out or “plane” your tooth’s roots to keep bacteria from reattaching to your teeth.
Surgical interventions – For more advanced stages of periodontal disease, there are surgical options that your dentist can recommend.
How Does Periodontal Disease Affect Your Overall Health?
In what is known as the oral-systemic connection, research has indicated that the same bacteria that causes gum disease can also factor into other health conditions. The bacteria in your mouth can enter your bloodstream and travel to other parts of your body, potentially causing the following health issues:
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
Because of these serious health problems, it is crucial that you practice excellent oral hygiene by following these steps:
- Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes.
- Floss your teeth daily.
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash every day.
- Avoid tobacco products of any kind.
- Make and keep regular appointments with your dentist.
Do You Need Periodontal Disease Treatment in Urbandale or Johnston?
If you have gum disease and need periodontal care, or if you would like to talk to a member of our dental team, we look forward to hearing from you. At Northpark Dental, our primary concern is your oral health. Please call our dental office at (515) 707-8050 to schedule an appointment.