Symptoms and Treatment for Periodontal Disease

etobicoke dentist periodental diseasePeriodontal disease (a.k.a. gum disease) plagues many adults. This gum disease Is often caused by poor oral hygiene and ends with the loss of teeth. Periodontal disease can be treated, and tooth loss is preventable if caught in time.

Who Gets Gum Disease

Anyone can get gum disease. It typically shows up in people around 30 to 40 years old and affects more men than women. Younger people can develop gum disease in a milder form (called gingivitis) which does worsen over time if not professionally treated.

Risk Factors

Certain behaviours and conditions place people at a higher risk for developing periodontal disease. Smoking, diabetes, cancer, heredity, medications, and hormonal changes affect risk factors. Good oral hygiene and regular dental check ups reduce risk and keep gums healthy.

Symptoms

There are several symptoms indicating gum disease is present:

  • Bleeding gums
  • Red, swollen, tender gums
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Loose teeth
  • Receding gum line

Dental Check up

A dental hygienist will ask questions about your medical history to help determine your risk factors for periodontal disease. The dental check up also includes a painless mouth examination and necessary oral X-rays.

Treatment

The hygienist will start with a thorough debridement to remove plaque and tartar buildup. Depending on the severity of your gum disease, the thorough debridement may also include scaling and root planing. Both of these cleaning methods remove tartar and rough spots from below the gum line to promote healing and help prevent the return of the disease.

Medications (in the form of pills, gels or oral rinse) may be prescribed. Surgery could be part of the treatment plan.

If you have concerns about the condition of your teeth and gums, call the caring team at Dr. Mark Rhody Dentistry today at (416) 231-4281. We will help you develop an affordable and effective treatment plan to help you and your teeth live a long life.

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