What Is Periodontal Disease? How To Treat And Prevent It
Periodontal disease is an oral disease that affects the gums, teeth, and jawbones. It's a disease in which an infection, caused by bacteria and plaque on the teeth, can get into the gums and eventually affect the jawbone and your teeth. It can cause tooth loss and bone loss, as well as pain in the gums. Eventually, this disease can also lead to heart disease or even lung disease. The direct cause of periodontal disease is poor oral hygiene. If you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease, it may be treated. Read on for information about how periodontal disease is treated and how you can prevent it.
Treatment Options For Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease can be treated in a number of different ways, depending on how far the disease has affected your teeth and gums. You may just need a regular dental cleaning, which involves a more involved cleaning procedure to get inside the pockets near your teeth where the bacteria can get into, or where the plaque may be settling. If you have pockets in your gums, you need to be sure you are brushing your teeth properly and are going to the dentist to have a deep cleaning of your teeth done at least every six months. Medications may also be required to help treat the infection. Medications like antibiotics can clear up the infection but you still may need deep cleanings as well. You may also have to have surgery, depending on how deep the infection has gone. Surgery may be required if the disease has affected your jawbone or you have some tooth loss. The type of surgery depends on the extent of your bone damage.
Prevention Of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is caused by a lack of oral care. If you aren't doing what you are supposed to do in order to care for your teeth, including visiting your dentist regularly for dental cleanings, you are a good candidate for this disease. You need to brush twice daily for at least two minutes. You also need to floss your teeth to get in between the teeth to remove built-up plaque.
If you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease, you need to seek treatment for this oral condition before it spreads further into your body and causes other health conditions. Talk to your periodontist about your treatment options and what you can do to prevent your periodontal disease from worsening. Contact a clinic, such as Bradley Piotrowski, DDS, MSD, LLC, for more information.
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