What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is a big fancy word that means gum disease. What happens with gum disease is bacteria that are in your mouth have lived and stayed too long. These bacteria haven't been brushed away, they haven't been flossed away, and you haven't come in for your regular cleanings. They've created clumps and colonies that breed and multiply. This irritates all of the tissues in the area, including the gum and bone. The bone starts to recede and run away from all this bacteria. If the bone runs away too much, it can loosen the teeth and even cause them to fall out.
What are the causes of periodontal disease?
The cause of periodontal disease is 100% bacterial. To stop the progression of this disease, you need to clean out all that gunk that's sitting underneath your gums. This involves a professional deep cleaning to remove all the tartar, plaque, calculus, and other substances that have accumulated. After the cleaning, you must maintain cleanliness by brushing and flossing well at home and coming in for professional cleanings every three months.
What are the symptoms of periodontal disease?
The number one symptom of periodontal disease is bleeding gums. Gums should not bleed when you brush or floss, so if they do, it suggests an issue. Another common sign of gum disease is teeth appearing longer because the gum has risen up or dropped down. In such cases, it's crucial to see a dentist to find out what's wrong.
What are the treatment options for periodontal disease?
The first step in treating periodontal disease is removing all of the bacteria. A deep cleaning, which is more involved than a regular cleaning, is often sufficient. The mouth is divided into four quadrants, all of which need to be cleaned. Regular cleanings every three months are also necessary. If the disease is advanced and there's significant bone loss, a deep cleaning may not be enough. In such cases, laser treatment may be needed to get deep into the areas and clean everything up. This also has to be done across the entire mouth, and regular cleanings every three months are still required.
Are teeth cleaning and periodontal treatments painful?
Absolutely not. While a tooth cleaning may be slightly uncomfortable if the teeth are sensitive, it should not be painful. If we have to do a deep cleaning and you're uncomfortable, we will numb you. There should be no pain during the treatment.
How can you schedule a dental appointment to see if you have periodontal disease?
You can schedule an appointment by giving our office a call at (440) 659-1455. We'd be happy to set you up with a consultation.