Do you ever notice your gums? Are they pink and firm, or are they red and unhealthy looking? The health of your gums contributes to your overall health. That’s because the bacteria that attacks your gums and causes inflammation can travel to other parts of your body and do the same. That can contribute to a variety of illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and even dementia. When your gums are unhealthy you might be too. That’s why it is so important to avoid developing periodontal disease.
Periodontal Disease
In most cases periodontal, or gum, disease can be avoided with proper oral hygiene. That includes brushing at least twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste, flossing daily, using an antibacterial mouthwash, and attending professional checkups and dental cleanings twice a year.
Periodontal disease develops when harmful bacterial plaque remains on your teeth and gums. If the plaque is not removed (via brushing) in a timely manner, it hardens into a cement-like material called tartar. Tartar can only be removed with professional dental tools during dental cleanings. The bacteria irritate, infect, and break down your gingival tissue, periodontal ligaments, and eventually the underlying jaw bone, resulting in tooth loss.
CommonTreatment
There are several treatments depending on the extent of the disease but, short of surgery, the most common treatment is:
Scaling and root planing: Scaling and root planing includes removing the tartar from your teeth and around your gum line with special dental tools. You may also be put on a regimen of antibiotics to help eliminate the infection.
Surgical Treatments
If the disease has progressed too far, scaling and root planing may not be enough. Other treatments include tissue and bone regeneration, pocket elimination surgery, and jaw bone surgery. Finally, to replace tooth loss due to periodontal disease, implants can be placed. However, the above surgeries may be required before your dentist can perform implant surgery.
ABOUT YOUR FARMINGTON HILLS DENTIST:
To learn more, or to schedule an appointment with one of the experts at the Comfort Dental Group, then contact us today by calling our office at (248) 474-6434. We welcome patients living in and around Farmington Hills, Livonia, Novi, Northville, Westland, and Dearborn Heights.