When we think about common oral health issues, gum disease is often brought up. While a widespread oral health concern, this is also a very serious one. For many, this is the cause of advanced tooth loss and severe discomfort. In today’s blog, your Newhall, CA, dentist explains what makes periodontal disease so dangerous for our smile’s health and beauty.
The Link to Tooth Loss
Without treatment, gum disease could continue to grow worse until finally reaching the periodontitis stage, the advanced stage linked to tooth loss. The disease attacks and destroys the tissues that connect your teeth and gums. The teeth become loose and eventually begin to become lost. This is actually the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. Missing teeth then lead to problems eating, poorer overall health, and a lower quality of life. By addressing the issue early, we can help manage the disease to prevent the periodontitis stage and maintain the stability of the smile.
Possible Warning Signs
The disease begins as inflammation, in which the gums begin to feel sore, appear red, and bleed when we brush and floss. The causes of inflammation may include poor oral hygiene, which allows plaque buildup to accumulate, as well as inflammatory illnesses, certain medications, or a family history of the disease. Unless treated, the inflammation can cause the tissue to pull away from the teeth and form deep pockets. When bacteria enter these pockets, periodontal disease then forms. Don’t ignore any changes to your gums, let us know right away.
Preventive Treatment Options
For inflammation or the early stages of gum disease, we may be able to perform a deep cleaning to manage the issue and protect the smile. A deep cleaning involves using an ultrasonic scaling device to remove plaque from the teeth and roots and could take between one and four visits, depending on the extent of your inflammation. We can then administer routine cleaning every three to four months to prevent serious buildup and protect the smile’s health. Caring for your smile at home also helps, such as brushing and flossing daily. Try to avoid tobacco products as well. Together, we can help safeguard your smile from serious oral health concerns and protect the stability of your teeth! If you have any questions or concerns, then please feel free to contact our team today.
Do You Have Questions About Periodontal Disease?
Without routine care to manage it, gum disease could lead to serious trouble for your smile’s health and stability. To learn more about our preventive treatment options and what you can do to protect your smile from poor periodontal health, then please schedule a consultation by calling Newhall Dental Arts in Newhall, CA, today at (661) 259-7760.