Periodontitis is an infection of the gums, with symptoms ranging from redness, swelling, and tenderness to bleeding and tooth loss. It is a common condition, with around 64 million adults in the United States alone experiencing some form of it. Fortunately, a dentist can reverse the first stage of gum disease to prevent periodontitis. To help you care for your pearly whites, here’s more information about this condition.

All You Need to Know About Gum Disease

Causes

Food particles harden into plaque, which eventually becomes tartar. Tartar builds up on the teeth and under the gum line, attracting bacteria that inflame the gums. This is known as gingivitis. Over time, this continued inflammation can turn into periodontitis, which creates pockets between the teeth that collect more bacteria. If left untreated, these gaps will grow deeper, leading to infections. At this point, the condition may threaten the stability of the teeth.

Prevention

To prevent periodontitis, proper dental care is essential. Brush at least twice a day, and make it a priority to floss at least once per day, ideally before bed. Annual visits to the dentists are equally important. A dentist will perform deep cleanings that remove bacteria and plaque from between the teeth. Removing these built-up particles will prevent all forms of gum disease.

Treatment

The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis. This stage is completely reversible. Your dentist may perform scaling, which removes plaque buildup from below the gum line, and root planing, which evens out the surfaces of teeth roots to inhibit further buildup.

Left untreated, gingivitis turns to periodontitis. If the infection is severe, a dentist might apply antibiotic medicines into the gum pockets to kill the bacteria. Surgical interventions will also treat this stage of gum disease. Flap surgery reduces the size of the pockets and allows deeper access to the roots so the dentist can perform more thorough scaling and planing treatments. For loose teeth, they may graft tissue from other areas to restore your gums. Since treatment is easier early on, it’s important to visit your dentist as soon as you notice signs of gum disease.

Parkway Family Dental is here to help you address your periodontal concerns. Dentist David Semrau, DDS, and his team offer comprehensive general and cosmetic dentistry work to the Flathead County, MT, area. In addition to gum disease treatment, they provide preventive exams, X-rays, teeth cleanings, tooth extractions, and crowns and fillings. Call (406) 752-2372 to schedule an appointment, or visit their website to learn more about their services.