Understanding Periodontal Disease and How to Treat It
According to the CDC, nearly half the adult population has some form of periodontal disease, and over 70% of people ages 65 and older have it. Periodontal disease is important to avoid because it can lead to tooth loss. Our Douglasville dentists at West Georgia Family Dentistry want to help you get rid of your periodontal disease and avoid developing it again in the future.
What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease, often called periodontitis, is an infection where the gums and bones supporting your teeth become inflamed. In early stages, it’s called gingivitis, which can easily be reversed with proper flossing and teeth brushing. However, once it worsens into periodontitis, you’re most likely going to need dental intervention to either preserve your mouth or remove decayed teeth.
Signs of periodontal disease include:
- Bad breath or taste that won’t go away
- Red/swollen gums
- Tender/bleeding gums
- Pain when chewing
- Loose or sensitive teeth
What Leads to Periodontal Disease?
Bacteria is the primary cause of periodontal disease. You notice this in the form of plaque buildup, which can happen quickly without good oral hygiene. Plaque irritates your gums, causing swelling and inflammation, which can lead to bacteria sinking deeper into your gums, which then leads to loss of bone and tissue.
In addition to developing gingivitis, you can develop periodontal disease due to smoking, poor diet, obesity, genetic predisposition, dry mouth due to prescriptions, autoimmune diseases like diabetes, and more.
How Our Dentists Can Help
Our team at West Georgia Family Dentistry can guide you through good brushing and flossing habits, point you to dental technology you can use at home to make practicing good hygiene easier, and monitor your oral health during regular cleanings. For those with extreme cases of periodontal disease, we can remove teeth and replace them with dental implants to restore a healthy and beautiful smile.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Our staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and compassionate and is happy to provide education and instruction on proper oral hygiene. We also offer preventative dentistry, periodontal therapy,
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