Common Gum Disease Questions
Common Gum Disease Questions
Is Gum Disease Common?
Most individuals do not realize that periodontal disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s statistics, one out of every two adults over 30 in the United States has gum disease.
What Causes Gum Disease?
You may be surprised that the human mouth is home to various microbes. The fact is that scientists have discovered over 700 different strains of bacteria in the oral cavity. Although some of these bacteria can be beneficial, others harm oral health. Without appropriate oral hygiene and routine dental care, these harmful bacteria may cause tooth decay and gum disease, compromising oral health and overall well-being.
What Are Some Risk Factors For Periodontal Disease?
In addition to poor oral hygiene and infrequent professional dental care, other factors, like smoking, genetic tendencies, and unchecked diabetes, can escalate periodontal disease.
Are Healthy Gums Essential?
If you didn’t know, your teeth and gums are interdependent. This interdependent relationship means your healthy teeth depend on the support of your healthy gums. Furthermore, taking care of your smile does more than keep your teeth and gums in excellent condition; great oral health also supports overall health. In addition to being the number 1 cause of adult tooth loss, scientists are finding more and more links between periodontal disease and many medical problems, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, respiratory issues, and adverse pregnancy outcomes like pre-term and low birth-weight babies.
What Are Some Symptoms Of Gingivitis?
Seeing that your gums are bleeding with only minor pressure while brushing or flossing your teeth is a sign of gingivitis. Although gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, Dr. Ayoub can reverse it quickly with deep cleanings as well as an improved regimen of oral hygiene at home.
What Happens When Gum Disease Progresses?
Gingivitis progresses to the next stage without professional dental treatment and a better home care routine. This stage is known as periodontitis. In this stage, the cone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place begin to break down, increasing the pockets between the teeth and bone, gum recession, and bone loss. Without appropriate treatment, periodontitis can progress from mild to moderate supporting tissue loss to the deterioration of the bone around the teeth.
How Do I Manage & Treat Advanced Gum Disease Or Periodontitis?
Although we can often reverse gingivitis with improved oral hygiene and professional cleanings, more extensive procedures are required to halt its progression as periodontal disease progresses. Based on a full assessment of your periodontal health and a review of all contributing factors, Dr. Ayoub will recommend the best options in dental care. Treatment for periodontitis can include a series of deep cleanings, called root planing and scaling, laser procedures, surgical procedures to reduce pocket depth, bone or tissue grafts, or antimicrobial medications.
How Do I Prevent Gum Disease?
By seeing our experienced dentist at Dentistry By Design, PC regularly for dental care and doing your best to eat a complete, healthy diet and practice proper oral hygiene, you can keep your teeth and smile in tip-top shape and protect your overall well-being.
Schedule A Gum Disease Evaluation & Treatment
Contact our South Huntington dentist at 631-823-1004 to schedule a gum disease consultation at Dentistry By Design, PC. At Dentistry By Design, PC, we treat patients at various stages of gum disease from South Huntington, Huntington, Melville, NY and the surround areas of Long Island.