According to the CDC, 47.2 percent of adults 30 years old and older have periodontal disease. Also called gum disease, periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease that affects the gingiva. When left untreated the gums will pull away from the teeth, and the disease-causing bacteria will attack the bone and tissue beneath the gums.
Want to know more? Here are seven common questions about gum disease:
1. What are the most common symptoms of periodontal disease?
Gum disease doesn’t show up the same way for everyone. In many cases, patients don’t even know they have gum disease until severe damage has been done.
However, some symptoms are more common than others, such as:
- Bleeding gums while brushing or flossing
- Inflamed or irritated gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Gum recession
Don’t wait until these symptoms appear to visit the dentist. At that point, the disease may have progressed past its ability to be reversed.
2. Is gum disease curable?
There are four phases of gum disease: gingivitis, slight periodontal disease, moderate periodontal disease, and advanced periodontal disease. Dentists can only reverse or cure gum disease in the first stage. Once the disease has progressed past gingivitis, it can only be stabilized and maintained.
3. Who is at risk for gum disease?
Factors that increase a person’s risk of developing gum disease include:
- Smoking
- Old age
- Poor nutrition
- Autoimmune disorders
- Dry mouth
- Hormone changes
- Genetics
4. How do dentists treat periodontal disease?
Treatment options for periodontal disease vary depending on the advancement of the disease. For patients with gingivitis, a simple dental cleaning or root planing and scaling will suffice. These methods clean the teeth and gums and disinfect the gum line so that the gingiva can begin to heal.
For more advanced stages of periodontal disease, our laser dentist offers the following treatments:
- Laser pocket decontamination
- Gum grafts
- Guided tissue regeneration
- Laser gum surgery
- Bone grafting
Dental lasers make the treatment for gum disease much more comfortable and effective. Dentists who don’t utilize dental lasers will likely use drills, scalpels, and sutures during the treatment process.
5. Does periodontal disease affect the rest of the body in any way?
Our oral and systemic health are directly related. When one isn’t healthy, the other probably isn’t either. If left untreated, the bacteria that cause inflammation in the gums will leak into the bloodstream and spread to other areas of the body.
Consequently, patients with periodontal disease may suffer from a stroke, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and early labor.
6. Will gum disease cause tooth loss?
Tooth loss is the most common result of untreated advanced gum disease. As the bacteria eat away at the gingiva, bone, and other hard and soft tissues, the teeth no longer have the support they need to stay in place.
Patients will experience loose teeth, tooth movement, and other obvious symptoms before tooth loss occurs.
7. How can I prevent gum disease?
When it comes to maintaining good oral health, prevention really is the best policy. In addition to visiting the dentist every six months, patients should develop an effective oral hygiene routine at home. This should include:
- Brushing twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste
- Flossing daily
- Rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash
A healthy diet is also important for avoiding periodontal disease. Fruits, veggies, protein, and dairy products are healthy-mouth staples. Try to limit starchy and sugary foods that cause an imbalance in the mouth.
For more information about gum disease, or to schedule an appointment with our Austin Laser Dentist, contact our office today at (512) 346-4690.
