The Facts About Periodontal Disease

Keeping Your Gums - and your Whole Mouth -- Healthy.

Some call it gum disease. Others call it gingivitis. But whatever you might call it, periodontal disease is one of the most destructive conditions dentists deal with. And we deal with it on a very frequent basis, largely because somewhere between sixty and seventy percent of people will experience some form of periodontal disease during their lifetime. Which means that if you haven't had it yet, chances are good that you will, at some point, experience periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease starts with bacteria that are a normal presence everybody's mouth. The regular brushing and flossing most of us perform twice a day disrupts that bacteria and keeps it from building up to the point where it becomes dangerous. But sometimes, the bacteria build up anyway. Some people's immune systems aren't strong enough to fight them. Others suffer periodontal disease when they get run down, or when they are too busy or distracted to take optimal care of their mouths.

When the periodontal disease bacteria get out of control, our gums become infected and swell, sometimes to the point where they bleed or crack. If the disease progresses, it can lead to the loss of bone around our teeth, which, in turn, can cause teeth to become diseased and fall out. In fact, periodontal disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss in people over 35.

The good news is that, caught early, periodontal disease can be easily and non-invasively treated before your overall dental health suffers. Regular dental care, meaning seeing your dentist and having your teeth cleaned at least every six months, is the best way to keep your gums healthy. During your cleaning, your hygienist will remove any bacteria that has built up on your teeth and hardened into tartar, and your dentist will check your gums and diagnose any problems.

If periodontal disease is found, it can be treated early. You dentist will detoxify the places on your tooth roots that are affected with instruments that may include a laser. You may be given an anti-microbial or antibiotic medicine, and you will be given detailed instructions on how to deal with the bacteria at home.

In more advanced cases of periodontal disease, gum surgery may be necessary to remove the infected tissue and stop the disease from spreading to other areas in your mouth. In cases like these, it is especially important to address the problem immediately, as advanced periodontal disease can lead to a long list of problems ranging from bad breath to tooth loss to heart attacks.

Luckily, for most of us, good habits and home and regular dental visits should be enough to keep periodontal disease in check and our smiles healthy.

Copyright (c) 2010 Thomas Streko

by: Thomas Streko

POST COMMENT

Excessive Sweating Causes & Medical Conditions Concerned A Healthy, Regulated Diet Keeps Diabetes Under Control Quickly Stop Excessive Underarm Sweating How To Deal With Winter Driving - 6 Tips That Could Save Your Life Broken Arrow, Ok Is Not A Sleeper Community Anymore Marietta, Ga Dentist - Thornton Dental Wellness Electronic Cigarettes: Get Rid Of The Danger Offered By Nicotine Can You Spot Ibs Symptoms? Obese People Have Health Risks Hobbies Are Important To The Body And Mind Pilates - Discover The Health Benefits Can't Get Your Kids To Sleep In Their Own Bed - Is A Toddlers Air Mattress The Answer? Six Ways To Prevent Getting Lyme Disease