Periodontal (Gum) Disease Therapy

Gum disease is an exceedingly common oral health problem and is estimated to affect more than half of the U.S. population. Unfortunately, since it is very easy to ignore in the earliest stages of the condition, it is often fairly advanced by the time it is diagnosed which means that irreversible damage to your oral health may have already occurred. Gum disease is an inflammatory oral condition that is caused by the invasion of bacteria-laden plaque into the soft tissue of the gums. When this happens, the gums become sore and swollen and may start to bleed when you brush your teeth which at this stage, it is often known as gingivitis. There are many symptoms of gum disease that tend to worsen as the condition worsens. Some signs to look out for include:

• Red, swollen and tender gums

• Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth, floss or eat particularly hard food

• Teeth that look elongated as a result of gum tissue receding

• Pus between your gums and teeth

• Persistently bad breath

• Sores in your mouth

• Teeth that seem loose

• A change in the way that your teeth come together or in the way that your partial denture fits

Studies have shown that there is an irrefutable link between periodontitis and the development of serious and chronic health problems including, but not limited to, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, liver and kidney disorders, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and some forms of cancer. If you are suffering from gum disease, there are a number of different treatments that may be able to help you. Which is right for you will depend on your individual circumstances and the severity of your periodontitis.