Periodontal disease is the technical term for gum disease. While this sounds terrible, it is treatable. The key to gum disease is to catch it early on and to get treatment as soon as possible!
At Peter Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we are experienced in treating and diagnosing periodontal disease so that you and your family can rest assured knowing you have an excellent dental team that can help you.
How Do I Know If I Have Gum Disease?
One of the main reasons people come into dental offices to get checked for periodontal disease is because they are afflicted with bad breath. The technical term for this is chronic halitosis, and it is a common symptom of gum disease.
When someone has periodontal disease, it is because of a buildup of bacteria. When they brush their teeth, it releases the toxins from the bacteria causing bad breath even though they just brushed their teeth. If your bad breath has been pointed out to you even after brushing your teeth, then it is a good idea to get checked by the dentist.
To help you get on the road to recovery it is important to know the signs of gum disease so you can be proactive in getting treatment.
Side effects of periodontal disease are:
- Pain.
- Swelling.
- Tooth loss.
- Bad breath.
- Gingivitis.
- Abscesses.
- Loose teeth.
- Receding gums.
- Teeth sensitivity.
- Oral discomfort.
- Swollen or puffy gums.
- Spaces between teeth.
- Bleeding when brushing.
Regardless of what symptoms you have, we know this is not a fun process. That is why at Peter Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we want to help you get the treatment you need! It can be hard to tell anyone about the oral issues you have been having, but our dental team is experienced with this treatment and understands that this can be a scary time for a lot of people.
We train our staff to be compassionate and helpful to give you the smile of your dreams and overcome any obstacle to give you a strong and brighter smile.
What Causes Periodontal Disease?
Gum disease is brought on by bacteria and plaque; once it builds up, it creates an infection in the gums. If the infection does not get treated, then it becomes gingivitis and ultimately creates periodontitis.
When you go in for a checkup with the dentist, Dr. Jeffrey Peter will perform a gum disease evaluation where he will check your bone and gums around the teeth for any signs of periodontal disease and determine if the gingivitis has progressed to periodontitis. After this diagnosis and evaluation, Dr. Peter will start you on a treatment plan to counteract the symptoms of the disease.
Why Should I Treat My Gum Disease?
If the symptoms of periodontal disease are not enough to persuade you to start treating then the overall health issues it causes will be. When gum disease goes untreated it can cause the following problems:
- Cancer.
- Tooth loss.
- Heart disease.
- Bacteria enters your bloodstream.
- High blood pressure.
- Complications in pregnancy.
In addition to dental treatment, make sure you are brushing your teeth twice daily and try to avoid your gum area to decrease gum recession, as well as flossing and using mouthwash. For your oral health in general it is important for routine dental visits but for gum disease it is necessary to get regular and specified treatment to keep it from getting worse.
Call Us Today for Healthier Gums!
Protect your oral health and keep your teeth strong by getting evaluated for gum disease. Call to schedule an appointment with us today for your whole family and rest assured knowing your dental health is in safe hands.