Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Periodontal (Gum) Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

A beautiful smile begins with a strong foundation of healthy gums. Early detection and treatment of periodontal disease can help most people to preserve their teeth for a lifetime.  Milford Dentists offers a comprehensive periodontal disease prevention and treatment program because a solid foundation of healthy gums is essential in protecting not just your teeth but also dental treatments such as Dental Implants, Dental CrownsDental BridgesTooth Veneers, and Professional Tooth Whitening. 3 Things you should know about Periodontal (gum) infection are -

1)  Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the early stage of periodontal disease, when only the soft tissues of the mouth are affected. Plaque build-up leads to tartar and bacteria below the gum-line, which leads to inflamed, irritated, or bleeding gums. The good news is that gingivitis is reversible.​​​ A thorough professional cleaning by a dental Hygienist, followed by regular brushing, flossing, and check-ups, restores gums to good health by removing plaque and bacteria.

2) Periodontitis
Periodontitis is marked by the breakdown of structures that surround, secure, and the support the teeth. These structures include the bone, gums, and fibres which anchor the teeth to the bone. Periodontal disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults.  Since periodontitis often exhibits no visible symptoms and may not cause physical pain until much later, it is important that the disease is detected at an early stage and treated immediately. In fact, an average of 4 out of 5 of those affected report no symptoms.
Dentists & Dental Hygienists can stabilise, and in some instances regenerate lost bone and tissue, reversing some of the damage caused by periodontitis.  Eliminating existing bacteria and regenerating bone and tissue helps to reduce the deep moat or pocket that occurs where the gum meets the tooth thus repairing damage caused by the progression of periodontal disease. With a combination of daily oral hygiene and professional maintenance care, you'll increase the chances of keeping your natural teeth – and decrease the chances of other health problems associated with periodontal disease – for instance did you know there is a direct link between periodontal/gum disease and cardiovascular disease  
3) Prevention is better than a cure.One of the easiest ways to prevent the decline of your oral health is to maintain a regular schedule of having your teeth cleaned a Dental Hygienist and using good oral hygiene techniques at home – brushing – flossing – using a recommended mouthwash – using a waterpik. Should you already suffer from Periodontal (Gum) Disease, seeing a Dentist for more complex gum treatment is an option. By working together, we can prevent the advance of gum disease and ensure healthy teeth and a healthy smile in the years ahead.

Karen Hobbs our Dental Hygienist/Oral Therapist & Tristan Barker - Dentist, who has a special interest in treating Periodontal disease are here to help at Milford Dentists
Posted by Karen & Tristan
Milford Dentists is proud to help the good people of the North Shore with all their dental requirements; especially in our mission to help you iradicate gum infection / periodontitis - From Devonport and Belmont up through Takapuna, Castor Bay,Mairangi Bay & Browns Bay as well as Albany, Northcote, Hillcrest, the Whangaporoa Peninsula and beyond give us a call - 09 4896575.

No comments:

Post a Comment