How Do You Get Rid of Periodontal Disease?

How Do You Get Rid of Periodontal Disease?

July 1, 2022

Periodontal disease is a severe infection of the gums caused by bacteria you have allowed to accumulate on your teeth and gums. Your bones and teeth sustain damage when the periodontal disease progresses. However, treating the condition early and following proper hygiene practices can prevent the damage.

Understanding Gum Disease

Periodontal disease starts as inflammation and worsens with time.

The different stages of this condition are as follows:

  • Gingivitis

Periodontal disease starts with inflammation in the gums called gingivitis. Your gums start bleeding when brushing and flossing your teeth if you are infected by gingivitis. You might also notice discoloration on your teeth from dental plaque. A buildup of food debris and bacteria represents plaque on your teeth. However, bacteria are constantly present in your mouth; they become harmful when conditions encourage them to multiply dramatically. The multiplication happens because of the lack of oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing and getting dental cleanings from the dentist in your locality.

  • Early Periodontal Disease

When you allow gingivitis to progress to early periodontal disease, your gums start receding from your teeth, forming tiny pockets between your teeth and gums. Harmful bacteria accumulate in the pockets as your immune system tries to battle the infection causing your gums to recede. As a result, you will likely experience bleeding during brushing and flossing, besides some bone loss.

  • Moderate Periodontal Disease

If you have developed moderate periodontal disease, you will experience bleeding and pain around your teeth and gum recession. In addition, your teeth start losing bone support and become loose. The infection also leads to an inflammatory response throughout your body.

  • Advanced Periodontal Disease

With advanced periodontal disease, the connective tissue holding your teeth in position begins deteriorating. Destruction of the gums, bones, and supporting tissue also occurs. If you have advanced periodontal disease, you experience severe pain when chewing, bad breath, and a foul taste in your mouth. In addition, you will likely lose some of your teeth.

How Is Gum Disease Diagnosed?

When you visit the dental clinic for routine exams, your dentist can detect signs of periodontal disease early. They can also monitor your periodontal status to ensure the condition doesn’t worsen. It is why routine visits to your dentist are essential frequently.

Your dentist might use a tiny ruler called a probe to measure pockets on your gums. The test is painless, but if the dentist finds plaque and tartar on your teeth, they will remove the substances as part of professional cleaning. They might also take x-rays or recommend that you receive periodontal disease treatment ongoing.

Why Is Acting Fast on Gum Disease Essential?

Acting fast on gum disease is essential to prevent its progress from gingivitis to periodontal disease. Gingivitis is an entirely preventable condition dentists can stop and reverse. Gingivitis treatments are incredibly successful and help prevent its progression to moderate or advanced periodontal disease. Unfortunately, if you allow the condition to progress without treatment, you must prepare to maintain the illness as a lifelong partner because there is no cure for advanced periodontal disease. The only alternative to this condition is to maintain it by receiving different treatments from dentists at high prices.

Complications of Periodontal Disease

When you leave periodontal disease untreated, the supporting structures of your teeth, including the bones of your jaw, face destruction. As a result, your teeth might loosen, fall out, or need extraction. Some of the complications of periodontal disease include painful abscesses, shifting of your teeth to interfere with eating, receding gums and exposure of your tooth roots, increased risk of complications during pregnancy besides low birth weight and pre-eclampsia, and a higher risk of heart disease, respiratory disease, and diabetes.

How to Maintain Periodontal Disease?

Your dental care team will provide instructions on reducing mouth bacteria by keeping your teeth and gums clean. Your dentist will advise on correctly using your toothbrush and dental floss and may recommend oral hygiene products to support your initiative.

When maintaining periodontal disease, besides incorporating excellent oral hygiene practices, you must also get professional cleanings frequently, antibiotics, and surgery if your condition has worsened and is causing complications like bone loss and severe gum recession.

The optimal technique for getting rid of periodontal disease is not to allow early gum disease progress by getting regular cleanings from a dental clinic near you. Unfortunately, if your condition has progressed, you must schedule frequent appointments with Lapeer City Dental for deep cleanings, gum surgery, and bone grafting if required, besides investing considerable sums in medicines and dental appointments.

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