Do You Have Periodontal Disease?

Do You Have Periodontal Disease?

Approximately 47 percent of American adults over the age of 30 are in the early or advanced stages of periodontal disease according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 38 percent have moderate to severe periodontitis which requires urgent treatment. Are you wondering if you might be among the ranks of American adults who have periodontal disease? Find out for sure when you schedule a visit with Dr. Michael White at his dentist office in Chehalis, WA.

Periodontal Disease: What Is It?
The gums are a crucial part of your dental health, keeping your teeth firmly rooted. When they’re irritated, inflamed, and infect with bad bacteria, it leads to a condition called periodontal disease. The infected is usually caused by the bacteria that grows in plaque or calculus that hardens around the gums. Dental experts believe that a specific strain of bacteria called NI1060 may be cause of the most aggressive forms of gum disease.

Signs of Periodontal Disease
When examining your teeth for signs of periodontitis, your Chehalis, WA dentist will use a periodontal probe. This probe measures how deep the pockets are around your teeth. Other signs of periodontal disease include:

- Painful, bleeding gums (the more excessive the bleeding, the more advanced the gum disease).
- Gums are either bright red or black instead of pink.
- Bad breath with a distinctive odor.
- Receding gumline, exposing the tooth roots.
- Thick tartar buildup around the gumline.
- Loose teeth or tooth loss.

Periodontal Therapies
When it’s treated in the early to moderate stages, periodontal disease is manageable. Simple treatments like scaling and root planing or antibacterial medication may help. In more serious cases, laser or conventional periodontal surgery is required. Additional treatments include gum grafting (to restore lost gum tissue) and dental implants (to restore the smile after tooth loss).

Keep Your Gums Healthy
Take care of your gums if you want to keep your teeth for a lifetime. Next to dental decay, periodontal disease is a top cause of tooth loss. Call (360) 748-0168 today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael White at his dentist office in Chehalis, WA.

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