Sciota, Pennsylvania
Periodontitis represents a serious threat to both your oral health and overall health. This advanced stage of gum disease is not curable, but it is manageable. That is why preventing periodontitis from developing in the first place is the optimum strategy. Read on as, today on the blog, your dentists in Sciota further explore the potential risks associated with periodontitis.
Periodontitis and its stages
By the time that gum disease progresses from its initial stage called gingivitis to periodontitis, permanent damage has been done to your mouth. Your gums recede from your teeth and periodontal pockets form. Each of these pockets contains the bacteria that created your gum disease infection in the first place.
There are three levels of periodontitis:
- Mild – Your gums pull away from your teeth and you begin to experience some bone loss. Plaque, tartar and bacteria begin to accumulate in the periodontal pockets, which are impossible to reach with normal brushing and flossing.
- Moderate – Bone loss around your teeth accelerates while the harmful bacteria attack the ligaments and soft tissues that help support your teeth. You may experience frequent soreness and tenderness in the gums.
- Severe – The supporting bone structure continues to deteriorate. This can cause your teeth to loosen or even fall out of their sockets. You may experience bleeding from the gums, as well as pus and and even painful abscesses.
The consequences of periodontitis
These abscesses and open infections can filter into your bloodstream, causing additional problems up to and including organ failure. Untreated periodontitis also can significantly elevate your risk of cardiac disease. This is in addition to the loss of teeth, and the impact on your chewing ability and the effect on your self-esteem from having a gap – or multiple gaps – in your smile.
Periodontitis does not develop overnight
As mentioned earlier, gingivitis is the initial stage of gum disease. Symptoms include gums that are puffy, swollen, sore, red, or bleed easily – especially when you brush. If you notice any of these problems, schedule an appointment at Chestnuthill Dental at your nearest convenience. Prompt identification and treatment of gum disease can prevent progression into periodontitis and all the potential issues that come with that advanced stage of gum disease.
Prevention is your best defense
Maintain a good regimen of oral hygiene: brush at least twice per day, floss daily, and use an antibacterial mouthwash or rinse. You also should curtail any use of tobacco, as smoking or vaping dramatically elevates your risk of gum disease. Also, maintain a recommended schedule of appointments with your dentist every six months for a check-up. Also, your teeth will be cleaned thoroughly above and below the gum line, eliminating the bacteria and plaque that represent the initial building blocks of gum disease.
How we treat gum disease
We employ a method called repetitive therapy to treat gum disease. Repetitive therapy combines scaling and root planing, and this is considered the most widespread and effective method of periodontal treatment available in dentistry today. Scaling clears away any accumulated plaque from both the surface of the tooth and the portion of the tooth lying underneath the gum line. Root planing scales the tooth root, smoothing it and making it harder for plaque and bacteria to congregate there in the future.
To learn more about how Chestnuthill Dental treats gum disease, or if you are experiencing symptoms of gingivitis, schedule a consultation at our office in Sciota today. Just call (570) 402-4001 or complete our online appointment request form.
