Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is the leading cause of adult tooth loss. However, it can usually be prevented. When gingivitis is detected early, it’s easy to reverse it. If it isn’t treated quickly, gingivitis will become gum disease.
Active periodontal disease, if left untreated, can contribute to serious health problems and increase your likelihood of developing other medical conditions. Protecting your gums from periodontal infection and keeping your teeth strong for many years is crucial to ensure great overall health.
What is Periodontitis?
Periodontal disease is the destruction of gum tissue and bone around the teeth. The most common causes are from plaque and tartar deposits below your gumlines because of a lapse in preventative care. The bacteria then cause tissue irritation, and even bone and gum detachment if brushing and flossing isn’t kept up. To prevent these complications, it’s important that you practice great hygiene at home and visit our Salem, MA office for routine checkups and cleanings at least every six months.
Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
Bleeding gums are always a sign that something is wrong. Healthy gums should be coral-colored with no swelling, tenderness, or bleeding while flossing. Even people with darker skin tones may have light pink gingiva. However, dark brown or speckled tissues can also be healthy. Red gums, however, are not.
Gum swelling or bleeding is a sign that our bodies are fighting off some type of infection. It’s usually gum disease. Although it may appear that periodontal disease affects only your mouth, it can also have serious consequences for your whole body. As such, it’s important to get it treated as soon as possible. Keep in mind, even if your gum disease isn’t apparent immediately, it could still cause serious complications if you don’t address it quickly.
Other common symptoms of gum disease are bad breath, tartar buildup, tooth mobility, gum recession, and sore or swollen gums.
Why Periodontal Care is Important to Your Overall Health
Untreated periodontal disease increases inflammation inside of your body and strains your immune system. Gum disease can be linked to many medical conditions, including diabetes, stroke, heart attack, preeclampsia, erectile dysfunction, lung disease, and infertility. Studies have shown that gum disease treatment can be beneficial for your immune system and recovery from (or management of) such conditions. Proper flossing can be as important as visiting your doctor if you have bleeding gums.
Your mouth is the main entry point to your entire body. If there are problems like bleeding gums or detached tissue, oral biofilm can transfer from your mouth directly into your bloodstream. They can then spread throughout your body, becoming lodged in your blood vessels and heart, and we know bacteria can also be inhaled into your lungs. You can improve your quality of life and overall health by reducing active infections promptly.
Treatments for Gum Disease
Our dentist recommends scaling and root planing (deep cleanings) if you have gum disease. This step will remove any calcified buildup below your gumlines. If needed, gum or bone grafting can also help to prevent tooth mobility and loss.
A periodontal screening during your checkup at Paradise Dental Associates is the only way to determine if you have gum disease and how bad it really is.
Receding Gumlines? We Offer Pinhole Rejuvenation
Gum recession is a progressive condition and you may not realize that you’re experiencing it until it becomes more severe. One sign is uneven gums around your teeth or part of your tooth root being visible. You may notice the natural yellowing of your root (made out of dentin), which is normally hidden by your gums.
Receding gingiva can be caused by a variety of factors, including aggressive brushing, periodontal disease, and misaligned teeth. Unchecked receding gums can lead to extreme tooth sensitivity, eventual tooth loss, and root-surface cavities. Bone deterioration can also be a result. Fortunately, Paradise Dental Associates is able to help you prevent these problems. The revolutionary Pinhole Surgical Technique can reverse gum recession without uncomfortable grafting. We simply stretch your existing healthy gum tissue and use it over the recessed areas.
Dr. Helyne Hamelburg, a Boston University-trained periodontist, is uniquely qualified to treat all your gum problems with extraordinary results here in our Salem office. The Pinhole Surgical Method doesn’t remove any tissue. Instead, it gently moves existing gingiva and results in no stitches or cutting.
Save Your Smile. Call Us Today!
Paradise Dental Associates’ in-house periodontist, Dr. Helyne Hamelburg, can help you with any symptoms of gum disease. Dr. Hamelburg is an expert in this field and has helped many patients to regain their gum hygiene over the past 25 years. Call us today to schedule your appointment.
