What Is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is caused by an infection that affects the tissues supporting your teeth. When a buildup of plaque forms on your teeth, especially along the gum line and between teeth, it hardens into tartar, which inevitably irritates your gums.

This ongoing irritation triggers an inflammatory response in your body, leading to gums that are swollen and red and can bleed and recede. In severe cases, it can also damage the bone that supports your teeth, potentially leading to tooth loss.

Periodontal Disease Prevention

Brushing twice daily and flossing every evening using the correct technique will help to remove a lot of plaque, but even the most diligent individuals may have a hard time cleaning off all the plaque, especially the plaque that hides under the gumline. You can improve your chances for the prevention of periodontal disease by getting twice-yearly professional dental cleanings from one of our excellent dental hygienists, as recommended by the American Dental Association.

What if you brush and floss and get your regular cleanings like you are supposed to and still get periodontal disease?

Other factors can contribute and cause a predisposition to gum disease:

• Smoking has been observed to increase the risk.
• Diabetes and heart disease have both been linked to periodontal disease.
• Numerous prescription medications are known to cause dry mouth, which can contribute to gum disease.
• Illnesses that inhibit your immune system, including cancer, increase your chances of developing periodontal disease.
• Genetics also play a role, as gum disease tends to run in families.

Treatments for Periodontal Disease

How your gum disease is treated will depend a great deal on how advanced it is and how much damage it has caused. It is important to treat gum disease, even in the early stages, as untreated gums will not only progress in your mouth but can also lead to health troubles throughout the rest of your body.

Mild gum disease can be treated with a renewed commitment to good oral hygiene habits and an antimicrobial mouthwash. Moderate-to-advanced gum disease may require a deep cleaning treatment known as scaling and root planing, wherein the tartar below the gum line is removed. Whatever treatment you require, Dr. Adam Klein and our skilled team are dedicated to providing comprehensive consultations to diagnose and manage periodontal disease in Monroe, NJ.