When your dentist says “periodontal,” he or she is referring to the health of the gums and supportive structures of your smile. The word “periodontal” literally means “around the tooth,” so that includes the gums and the bone surrounding your teeth.
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, affects millions of patients. This disease causes inflammation and leads to tooth loss and permanent bone damage. This inflammation is caused by bacteria that live in the sticky plaque building up on the teeth over time.
Patients who have gingivitis (the mildest form of gum disease) may also notice that their gums bleed easily.
Some patients are more susceptible to gum disease, including patients who:
- Are pregnant.
- Use tobacco.
- Drink heavily.
- Smoke.
- Have high stress.
- Have a family history of gum disease.
- Are diagnosed with diabetes.
- Sustain a poor diet.
However, all patients are at risk for gum disease, and many individuals don’t even know that they need treatment until symptoms become severe. If you have noticed that your gums are red and swollen while you brush and floss, it’s time to see Dr. Marcy Schwartzman, DMD. Patients who have gingivitis (the mildest form of gum disease) may also notice that their gums bleed easily.
Treating and Preventing Gum Disease
When you diagnose and treat gum disease at an early stage, treatment can be discomfort-free and effective.
It is crucial to treat your periodontal disease before it reaches the aggressive stage of periodontitis. Patients who reach this stage may suffer from tooth loss, gum recession, and jawbone deterioration; they often have to undergo surgery as their only treatment option.
For most patients, periodontal treatment is simple at Dr. Marcy Schwartzman, Inc. If gum disease is addressed at an early stage, we can often use the very simple OraVital process to restore your oral health: evaluation, treatment, re-evaluation, maintenance, and monitoring. This simple process makes it easy to restore your oral health.
For some patients, we may need to resort to other measures. Root scaling and planing is a deep cleaning procedure that eliminates the harmful bacteria from your teeth and gums. We may also suggest pocket reduction, soft-tissue grafts, or changes in your at-home care routine.
Revitalize Your Oral Health with Dr. Marcy Schwartzman!
If you are suffering with swollen or bleeding gums, we can help. Call today to schedule your appointment at Dr. Marcy Schwartzman, Inc.!