Oral health is more than just maintaining a beautiful smile. Maintaining a healthy dental regimen is key to preventing the growth of bacteria and buildup of plaque that can cause periodontal disease. Periodontal disease can pose serious risks to your health and wellbeing and can produce symptoms that are both uncomfortable and uninviting. Fortunately, periodontal disease is usually preventable by following a healthy dental hygiene regimen, having regular checkups and cleanings with your dentist, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding smoking or using tobacco products.
What is it? How does it occur?
Periodontal disease is caused by infection of the tissue that helps hold your teeth in place, also known as the gums. The mouth is full of bacteria, mucus, and food particles that all make up a sticky substance called plaque. Plaque that isn’t properly removed through brushing and flossing is detrimental to your oral health and can form tartar on your teeth. While brushing and flossing can help remove plaque, only professional dental cleaning can remove tartar from your teeth. It is important to always keep regular dental appointments that include thorough examinations and cleanings as early detection is key to the success of the treatment for periodontal disease. Most periodontal disease cases can be treated at home with proper care, but in some cases of advanced periodontal disease bone loss may occur and more vigorous treatment may be necessary.
Risk Factors
There are multiple risk factors that may make you susceptible to developing periodontal disease. One of the most significant risk factors is if you smoke or use other tobacco products. Other risk factors include:
- Poor oral hygiene habits
- Obesity
- Diseases such as diabetes, crohn’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis
- Genetics
- Old age
- Vitamin C deficiency
- Substance abuse
- Pregnancy or hormonal changes
Early Warning Signs
Some symptoms that could indicate the presence of periodontal disease include bad breath, swollen gums, painful or sensitive gums, bleeding gums, loose teeth, and a receding gum line.
While many of these symptoms can also be indicators for other dental issues, it is important to identify any potential red flags as soon as they occur. Inform your dentist of any risk factors you may have that could put your oral and overall health at risk.
Here at Golden Hill Family Dentistry, we are passionate about helping educate our patients on the importance of maintaining oral hygiene and preventing periodontal disease. If you are experiencing any symptoms of periodontal disease or have questions about our services, we’d love to schedule a consultation to discuss your oral health. Contact us today at (303) 237-1553.