Your gums play a vital role in the continual functioning of your teeth. It can be pretty easy to ignore your gums when they are working the way that they are intended to, but doing so comes at great risk.
Gum disease—or periodontal disease—can impact your entire oral health from your jawbone to the structure of your teeth, and it is one of the major causes of adult tooth loss. Beyond that, research has shown that it can also impact other aspects of your health and can lead to complications such as:
- Stroke.
- Bacterial pneumonia.
- Diabetes.
- Cardiovascular disease.
If you see any signs of bleeding, redness, or swelling while brushing or flossing, this could be an indication that you need to schedule your next appointment before things worsen.
Contributing Factors and Symptoms of Gum Disease
Gum disease is the result of many factors. This is why it is so important that you do everything possible on your own to prevent it from occurring in the first place.
Some of the factors that contribute to a greater risk of gum disease include:
- Smoking.
- Frequent soda consumption.
- Diabetes.
- Poor oral hygiene.
- Sugary diet.
- Stress.
Many people can be at risk for mild gum disease, so it’s important to look out for the common symptoms of gum disease as well. These symptoms include:
- Swollen or puffy gums.
- Gums that are retreating from your teeth.
- Bleeding gums—especially when you brush or floss.
- Gums that feel tender or sore to the touch.
- Chronic bad breath that doesn’t seem to go away.
If you’re noticing any of these symptoms, call Dr. Burdick for periodontal disease treatment today!
The Benefits of Treating Gum Disease
Gum disease treatment is an important aspect to not only maintaining good oral health, but also maintaining good total health.
There are many preemptive steps that can be taken to make sure that your gums don’t progress to the point of periodontal disease. One of the best things you can do yourself is make sure you properly brush your gums and teeth twice a day, and floss at least once a day. Keeping up with regular professional cleanings twice a year will also help to keep your gums healthy.
Even if your gums have already taken a turn for the worse, getting periodontal disease treatment as soon as possible will prevent further damage and health problems from occurring. It’s never too late to improve your dental health and protect your gums!
When you come into our office for your periodic deep-cleaning we will perform a comprehensive removal of any build-up of plaque or tartar, which can dramatically reduce your likelihood of experiencing gum disease. We also offer special periodontal therapy for gum disease that has already begun to develop.
Periodontal Therapy With Victor H. Burdick, Jr., DDS
To treat your gums, we use Arestin—a topical antibiotic that is an essential part of our periodontal therapy. Arestin is designed to remain active in the pocket of your gums to help fight and reduce active bacteria. These pockets are difficult to reach with floss or a toothbrush, so Arestin’s extra layer of protection can be extremely helpful.
Combined with daily flossing and brushing, our periodontal disease treatment can help maintain active and healthy gums. In the long term, this will enable you to enjoy the lasting cosmetic and functional benefits of a full set of teeth.
Your Location for Periodontal Disease Treatment
Now that you understand the importance of receiving gum disease treatment, it’s important to make sure you are taking care of your gums on a regular basis. Schedule a cleaning and periodontal exam with our team today to ward off plaque, tartar, and all other unfavorable mouth ailments!