Fighting Periodontal Disease
The most common reason for tooth loss in adults is periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. An estimated 3 out of 4 Americans will experience some form of periodontal disease during their lifetime. For many that can mean receding gums or even tooth loss, which is why it is important to treat gum disease when it is detected.
At The Dental Design Center in Westchester County, we carefully check bone, tissue, and gums for disease or infection at every checkup.
By coming to the dentist for regular checkups (at least twice per year), you can help ensure that problems are quickly taken care of and long-term dental health problems are avoided.
Periodontal Gum Disease
Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the tissue and bone that supports your teeth.
Periodontal disease has many different levels, from minor to severe, and can have lasting effects on your dental health and overall health. Very often, early or moderate periodontal disease does not cause dental pain to patients.
The type of periodontal treatment necessary depends on the severity of the condition and how far the disease has progressed.
Early detection is the best way to prevent long-term problems (such as losing your teeth) from gum disease.
The only way to determine if one has periodontal disease is through proper and regular examinations by a dental professional like White Plains dentist Dr. Ira Handschuh and his team of dental hygienists.
Periodontal Treatment
At The Dental Design Center, we offer a variety of non-surgical gum disease treatments.
The first step to preventing and reversing gum disease is regular dental hygiene sessions (routine dental cleaning appointments). Deep cleanings allow your dentist or hygienist to remove tartar that has accumulated deeper on the tooth roots.
Dental Deep Cleaning
We at The Dental Design Center in White Plains are one of the first practices to provide deep cleanings with Oraquix, the needle-free anesthetic. This process allows patients to be anesthetized without the pain of injections while giving short term anesthesia so you will be perfectly comfortable.
Gum Infection Treatment
Another non-surgical procedure we use at The Dental Design Center is the placement of a special medicine directly to the infected area of the gums. This medicine works over a 14-day period to reduce the bacteria that causes the infectious process in the gums. This helps reduce inflammation thereby improving the health of the gums and supportive tooth structure.
Causes of Gum Disease
There are many factors that can contribute to the development of periodontal disease, such as diet, genetics, and oral hygiene. If detected early by your gum disease dentist in White Plains, periodontitis is both curable and reversible. Some of the early warning signs of gum disease might include receding gums, bleeding gums, swollen gums or sensitive gums. Additionally, somebody who is experiencing gum disease may notice that they have loose teeth or even suffer a tooth loss. If you or a loved one are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you should contact your dentist near Scarsdale today and schedule an oral health checkup.
Preventing Gum Disease
Many people can successfully prevent serious forms of periodontal disease by following dental health guidelines.
Dental hygiene includes brushing at least three times a day, flossing regularly and having a complete dental check up and cleaning at least twice per year (more often if you show any signs of gingivitis or periodontal disease).
Other things you can do to decrease your risk are cutting down on smoking (or quitting completely) and not abusing alcohol.
Up to 30% of the population may be genetically predisposed to developing periodontal disease, so good dental hygiene habits may not be enough to prevent the disease. Other factors that may increase your risk for developing gum disease include smoking, stress, crooked teeth, diabetes, hormonal changes, broken or cracked fillings, certain medications, AIDS and HIV, and poor dental hygiene.
Call The Dental Design Center in White Plains today to schedule an examination and cleaning.