Periodontal (gum) disease is a growing concern. Over 75% of North American adults have some form of gum disease which, if left untreated, develops into periodontal disease. Although it is not curable, with a dedicated professional hygiene program and consistent home care, it is manageable. Sana Dental is pleased to offer safe and effective treatment for periodontal disease, so you can achieve optimal oral health and a beautiful smile.
Our mouths provide a home to millions of bacteria, both harmful and beneficial. Bacterial waste constantly forms a sticky substance on your teeth called plaque. Brushing and flossing is meant to remove plaque prior to it turning into tartar. Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums caused by the bacteria found in plaque. Regular brushing, flossing, and twice yearly dental hygiene treatments are required to keep plaque at bay.
If plaque is left on your teeth, gum disease can set in. As it progresses, the plaque mineralizes into tartar, which becomes a colony for more bacteria releasing toxins into the gums. The response is an inflammatory one, resulting in bleeding gums known as gingivitis. Bacteria left untreated successfully create a chronic infection. Gum disease will begin to impact the bone that supports your teeth. Eventually, your teeth can become loose, fall out, or have to be removed by a dentist.
If you do not treat periodontal disease, your oral health will be compromised, leaving you at risk for a host of health problems. The first stage of periodontal disease is called gingivitis. This stage is relatively simple to treat because it only affects the gums. Symptoms of gingivitis can be tender, swollen gums, often accompanied by persistent bad breath. This stage of gum disease can sneak up on you with no obvious symptoms and is often caught at a routine dental check-up.
Left untreated, gingivitis can lead to a more serious condition known as periodontitis. At this stage, bacteria can cause infection. The toxins created by the bacteria, and your body’s immune response to the infection start to break down the bone and connective tissue that keep your teeth in place. The gums recede away from the teeth, and pockets, or spaces, form between tooth and gum. If periodontal disease is left untreated, the jawbone, gums, and the tissue that supports the teeth are eventually destroyed. The teeth may become loose and have to be removed, or surgery must be performed on the gums.
Research has shown that the infection caused by periodontal disease can enter your bloodstream and lead to or exacerbate general health problems.
After establishing the existence and severity of gum disease, we will come up with a personalized treatment plan. Milder forms of gum disease, where there is little or no bone loss, can usually be managed in just one to two visits with the Sana Dental hygiene team. Assuming you remain diligent with your home care, and an established schedule for maintenance is maintained, little additional treatment may be required.
If there is advanced inflammation and considerable bone loss, a more proactive approach to stop further deterioration should strongly be considered. Sana Dental has various professional treatment options, including more in-depth cleaning processes throughout a few visits. We will also offer other specific strategies to help with home care. There must be consistent and dedicated daily care to control the disease.
Gum disease is nasty. It can sneak up on you undetected, even if you are diligent with your home maintenance routine of regular brushing and flossing. That is why it is so important to schedule regular professional dental cleanings and exams.
Your dental hygienist has a wide variety of professional dental tools to deep-clean all the nooks and crannies of your mouth; the places where it is practically impossible for the average person to keep germ-free on their own. Your Edmonton dentist also has some tricks up his or her sleeve. With a keen eye trained to spot dental disease in its very early stages, specialized diagnostic tools, and access to oral health tests, your dentist is an invaluable resource in your oral health program. Sana Dental recommends regular cleanings and exams to ensure optimal oral health.
If you have any questions or concerns about gum disease or the diagnosis/treatment process, or you think you may be suffering from gum disease and would like to set up an appointment, please call us at (780) 476-3391 and we will be happy to help!
Call us at (780) 476-3391 to set up your Periodontal Disease today!