More than 50 percent of people over the age of 30 in the United States have experienced some form of gum disease. By educating his patients on how to prevent periodontal disease, Dr. Chen from Parkside Dental ensures they understand the signs and symptoms of this oral concern. Your gums are an essential part of your smile, and it is important to keep them healthy. Having an effective daily dental care routine and attending regular dental check-ups helps stave off the development of gum disease.
What is periodontal disease?
When plaque remains on teeth for an extended period of time, it hardens to tartar and allows harmful bacteria to affect a person’s dental anatomy. The longer a patient goes without treatment, the more impact and severe the infection becomes. There are three stages of gum disease:
Gingivitis is the most common form of periodontal disease and can typically be reversed with at-home remedies and minimal professional intervention. If you are brushing or flossing and notice red, swollen, or bleeding gums, these are usually symptoms of gingivitis.
Periodontitis is when periodontal disease has spread beneath the gum line, and will soon become untreatable without surgical procedures. Patients may notice their gums detach from teeth, causing periodontal pockets and allowing bacteria to harbor.
Advanced Periodontitis requires extensive and professional intervention to treat it. Teeth may begin to feel loose or become dislodged due to the gums’ fibers detaching from your teeth. Treating patients with advanced periodontitis requires surgical measures and complex dental care.
How do you treat gum disease?
It is essential for you to visit the dental practice for your biannual check-ups so a professional may examine your smile and prevent any complex issues from arising. These appointments allow the dentist to monitor the progression of the spaces between your teeth and gums as well as schedule future appointments for treatment when necessary.
Dentists usually care for gum disease by performing a root scaling and planing. This two-part treatment removes the plaque and tartar build-up from your teeth and below the gum line. By cleaning around the roots of teeth, it reduces periodontal pockets and halts the spread of bacteria. Planing smooths teeth surfaces to prevent bacteria build-up.
When patients are in the comfort of their own home, they can maintain their oral health with an effective oral hygiene routine consisting of brushing and flossing. This helps remove plaque before it can harden into tartar which stops the progression of decay.
For more information about gum disease, contact Parkside Dental in Fairfield! Dr. Chen helps patients achieve optimal oral health to maintain their beautiful smiles for a lifetime.