Also known commonly as gum disease, periodontal disease affects the gums and soft tissues surrounding a tooth. The first stage of periodontal disease is known as gingivitis, which is a mild infection of the gums. Often, people ignore the signs of gingivitis, only to deal with severe complications. You should look for quality dental care in Palm Harbor and visit a seasoned and experienced dentist every six months to keep a check on gum health. In this post, we are sharing essential aspects of periodontal disease.
Types of periodontal disease
There are different stages of periodontal disease. As we mentioned, the first stage is mild gum inflammation, called gingivitis. If your gums are irritated by plaque, you will see swelling and redness around the gums. Some people may have no symptoms of gingivitis, while others may experience pain and discomfort. Because pockets are created between the gums and teeth, bacteria can thrive and eventually cause advanced periodontal disease. There are types of periodontal disease –
- Chronic periodontitis: One of the critical signs is receding gumline, which may make your teeth appear longer. Chronic periodontitis is very common and can be reversed with early intervention.
- Aggressive periodontitis: This form of periodontal disease has signs like the rapid loss of bone, and gum attachment, often with no other symptoms.
- Necrotizing periodontitis: This form of gum disease is seen in people who have specific health conditions such as malnutrition, HIV, and immunosuppression. It affects the periodontal ligament and gingival tissues, besides the alveolar bone.
Treatment for Periodontal Disease
Both surgical and nonsurgical treatments are available for gum disease, depending on the extent of the inflammation and the underlying cause. The first line of treatment is scaling, which involves getting rid of tartar and plaque from the teeth. All gum pockets are cleaned and treated to prevent the infection from causing further damage. Your dentist may also recommend using a prescription mouthwash. There are also grafting procedures that can help with tissue regeneration. One of the advanced treatments is pocket elimination surgery, which is done to reduce the pocket size between the gums and teeth. Your dentist may also consider jawbone surgery to prevent bacteria growth.
Final word
The good news is periodontal disease is avoidable and treatable. If you want to avoid complications and complex treatments, check with your dentist as soon as you spot the first signs of gum inflammation and swelling.