Avoiding periodontal disease is the best thing you can do for your smile! And the best way to prevent it is to stay current with dental check-ups and teeth cleans. You should implement an excellent oral hygiene routine between dental visits to support your Oatley dentist's efforts.
Let's Explore Periodontal Disease, What It Is and How to Avoid It
Periodontal disease is not reversible. However, your dentist can treat it to help stave off complications. Typically, it starts as gingivitis, a condition we can reverse. However, if you don't visit your dentist regularly, we may miss our window of opportunity.
Periodontal disease, sometimes called gum disease, means a series of infections in the periodontal ligaments and bones that support your teeth. Over time, you may notice the following symptoms:
- Bleeding gums when brushing and flossing
- Loose, mobile, or shifting teeth as gums pocket
- Bad breath that recurs even after brushing and flossing
- Red or swollen gums, often or periodically
Without treatment, you risk tooth loss. Additionally, research has linked periodontal disease to severe health conditions involving the heart and lungs, premature labour, and even specific kinds of dementia.
Lowering Your Risks for Periodontal Disease
To lower your chances of developing this condition, it's important to learn the risk factors, which include:
- Smoking or tobacco use
- Lack of dental care
- Lacklustre oral hygiene
- Hormonal changes
- Family history
Despite hormonal changes and family history, your dentist can keep your gums healthy through regular dental check-ups and teeth cleans in Oatley.
Periodontal Treatment in Oatley, NSW
Treatment often starts with deep cleans in our dental clinic. These are below-the-gumline treatments that help heal and eliminate much of the infection and inflammation. The goal is to help the gums adhere to the teeth again and lessen pocketing. This may be followed by antibiotic therapy.
Your dentist may choose another method to treat your gum disease, as each case differs. However, we always discuss the treatment options and plans with you before getting started.
For Periodontal Treatment, We Welcome Your Call
If you suspect gum disease or have not visited our dental clinic in a while, please call us today to reestablish care.