Periodontal Disease
Periodontal Care in Dalton
Your gums perform an important function in your body. They provide support for the teeth as well as cover and protect the jaw bone from trauma and infection. At each preventive visit, our hygienists and dentists will review digital x-rays and measure gum levels to look for signs of periodontal (gum) disease.
Healthy Gums Don't Bleed.
Normal gum tissue is pink and firm. When harmful bacteria become organized in the space between the teeth and the gums (the area known as the periodontal ‘pocket’), they interact with dental plaque and hard calculus (tartar) deposits to produce toxins that can evolve into infection.
Periodontal disease progresses in stages. It begins as inflamed, red gum tissue that bleeds when brushed; this is the first stage, Gingivitis. As it advances, periodontal disease causes gum recession and chronic bad breath.
Without intervention, bacteria and infection associated with periodontal disease will continue to spread, destroying gum tissue and underlying bone. If periodontal disease is not treated, affected teeth will become loose and may be lost completely when necessary bone support is gone.
Periodontal disease is the #1 cause of tooth loss in adults.
Periodontal disease usually begins in a small area and spreads throughout the mouth. Some patients lose multiple teeth, or all of their teeth, as a result of periodontal disease.
Because it typically does not hurt, periodontal disease often goes unnoticed by the patient. For adult patients, periodontal disease is actually more common than tooth decay.
Periodontal Disease and the Health Connection
Stress, smoking and poor nutrition can be contributing factors to periodontal disease. Ongoing research continues to reveal links between the bacteria that cause periodontal disease and increased risk of heart disease, stroke and preterm low birth weight.
Because periodontal disease is an infection, patients with systemic health conditions like diabetes and cancer are often advised by their physician to treat and manage periodontal disease to minimize the risk of further health complications.
Treatment of Periodontal Disease with Waterlase®
If detected early through regular dental visits, periodontal disease can often be treated with nonsurgical gum treatments at our Dalton dental office. Our practice is equipped with Waterlase® dental technology for comfortable treatment of periodontal disease. Our dentists use the Waterlase® system to remove toxins and hard deposits below the gum line to promote healing.
Learn more about Waterlase® dentistry.
We may refer you to a gum specialist, or periodontist, if you have advanced periodontal disease. The periodontist works closely with our dentists to develop a plan to treat the infection and bone loss to restore health to your smile.
Protect your oral health.
Contact Patterson & Hughes Family Dentistry to schedule a complete dental examination and learn how to prevent periodontal disease.