What Is Periodontal Disease?
Louisville, KY
Your periodontal tissue is your gum tissue that supports your teeth. It’s vital to the health of your teeth to keep your gum tissue healthy and strong. Gum disease is a common but potentially damaging disorder. At United Smile Centres we can provide the treatment to remove current disease, while also providing the tips and guidance to keep gum disease at bay. We can help you have a healthier smile and teeth that can last you a lifetime.
Periodontal disease means that bacteria has gained access between the teeth and gums and infection has set in. Our mouths are exposed to constant bacteria, it’s in our food, in our air, and in those around us. Part of the reason we brush is to remove as much decay causing bacteria as we can twice a day. If we don’t, the bacteria can blend with particles in our mouth and settle in the naturally forming plaque on our teeth where it will feed and produce an acid leading to infection. Our gums can become diseased and cause a negative response.
Periodontal disease can be referenced by multiple names including gingivitis, gum disease or chronic periodontitis. These terms are used to indicate the severity, but they all indicate that infection is present. Many patients find the symptoms of gum disease to be painless, and many are surprised to find that they have it.
Symptoms Of Gum Disease
There are symptoms that you can look for that could indicate the presence of infection including:
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Gums Bleed when Brushing or Flossing
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Gums Appear Irritated, Red or Swollen
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Teeth Appear Longer, Gums have Pulled Away
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Sour Taste or Bad Breath that does not go Away
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Teeth Feel Loose or Have Shifted
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Changes To Your Bite
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Prosthetic Doesn’t Fit Correctly |
Some patients are at higher risk of developing gum disease including patients who smoke, are pregnant, have diabetes, are being treated for cancer and patients who have decreased saliva levels. If you suspect you have gum disease, or have seen some of the symptoms, schedule a dental cleaning so we can take a closer look. The sooner you treat it, the better.
Patients who suffer from aggressive or chronic periodontitis will begin to experience some highly destructive effects. Effects including the rapid loss of gum tissue and bone may occur in localized areas or in the entire mouth. Periodontal disease is never considered cured, however, it can be managed to slow or stop the progression.
Treatment may include restoring the tissue with a bone graft and/or the placement of a dental prosthetic including a dental crown, bridge or denture. When significant tissue has been lost, we can restore the area and rebuild with the placement of a single tooth implant or multiple dental implants.
Research today has shown correlation between chronic periodontitis and other systemic problems such as heart disease, diabetes or stroke.
Scheduling time with our professional hygienist along with periodontal examinations are very important. Treatment methods will depend upon the severity of the disease and its progression. Call us at (502) 899-3000 to schedule your appointment and find the right gum disease treatment for you.
Additional Info:
Dental Consequences of Periodontal Disease
Deep cleaning
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