Periodontal Disease Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, can be prevented with daily oral hygiene including brushing and flossing. By not properly caring for your teeth and gums, you place yourself at risk of both immediate and future consequences of the disease. You could also be looking at a wide range of necessary treatments such as antibiotics, deep cleanings, and even oral surgery. Our periodontist at Gresham Dental Excellence will discuss with you how to prevent this disease and what consequences you could be looking at if you do not care for your teeth.Prevention of Periodontal DiseasePreventing periodontal disease is very much possible, and the oral hygiene maintenance needed is quite manageable. First, you will need to make sure you brush and floss every day. Some people like to use mouthwash as well. Second, you will need to have a routine dental cleaning every six months. Here, your teeth will be scaled, flossed, and polished to remove plaque and tartar and enhance aesthetic appeal. Immediate ConsequencesIn general, the immediate consequences of gum disease are more so viewed as a nuisance rather than a life-changing experience. That said, you should still pay attention to these symptoms since the disease can progress quickly. Some of the immediate symptoms you will experience are pain and tenderness of the gum tissue, bleeding, discoloration, and chronic bad breath. These symptoms are uncomfortable, but they also affect your ability to eat and interact with others. Future ConsequencesAs the disease progresses, the consequences turn from minor symptoms to devastating changes in oral structure and health. First, this means that you will need several different ongoing treatments since it is an irreversible condition. On the other hand, catching the disease early on (in the gingivitis stage) can allow for complete reversal. Not treating the disease can lead to bigger issues; learn more about Gum Disease and Heart Health, Gum Disease and Diabetes, and Gum Disease and Alzheimer's here. There are both non-surgical and surgical procedures. Non-surgical treatments include antibiotics and a scaling and root planing procedure. This procedure is completed every few months rather than only twice a year like routine cleanings. Surgical treatment may be needed for several reasons. Initially, we may need to perform surgery so that we can clear out areas of infection hidden deep beneath your gums. In addition, this disease can cause bone and soft tissue disintegration. This change in your oral structure creates difficulty in eating and interacting with people. You may also lose teeth because of this disease. Luckily, there are some treatment options to restore these tissues. Grafts of both bone and soft tissues are available. We can also replace lost teeth with artificial crowns, bridges, and dentures that are supported by adjacent teeth or dental implants. Surgery and certain dental restorations take several months to recover from. They may also need to be completed in steps, meaning you will require multiple procedures. For example, dental implants often require bone grafts to be placed first. In addition, though insurance companies will assist with most of these procedures, periodontal disease treatment costs can certainly add up over time. Call Gresham Dental Excellence at (971) 431-7292 to learn more about how periodontal disease can affect your oral health. |
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