Gum Disease/Periodontitis
Everyone knows about tooth decay but not everyone knows about the gum disease called periodontitis. Periodontitis is preventable and treatable yet often more damaging than cavities. The gum disease process is slow and painless so most people are not aware that there is a problem until significant damage is done. Some of the symptoms of periodontitis include swollen, bright red or purple gums, gums that feel tender when touched, new spaces developing between your teeth pus between your teeth and gums, persistent breath odor or a bad taste in your mouth, and loose teeth or a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite. Periodontitis causes the gums and bone to pull away from your teeth. When this happens teeth will eventually become loose, at which point they have to be pulled. It is our policy to check everybody for gum disease.
Having periodontal disease may put you at a higher risk for a number of serious medication conditions. Complications of pregnancy, stroke, heart disease, uncontrolled blood sugar levels, and pneumonia have been linked to periodontitis.
We want to identify and treat your problems early, before they are painful and expensive to fix. If Dr. Gentling finds that you have periodontitis he typically recommends a deep cleaning. This is where the hygienist will numb your gums so she can thoroughly remove the harmful deposits of tarter and bacteria tucked below your gum line. We may also place some antibiotics around your teeth to help reduce the infection around specific teeth. Once you have gum disease we cannot get rid of it or reverse its effects. Working together with recommended treatment and good home care, our goal will be to prevent it from getting worse.
