Gum Disease
Your gums and supporting bone are the foundation of your smile. The most common reason for tooth loss today is gum disease. It is estimated that 80 percent of the adult population has some level of gum disease, ranging from mild gingivitis to advanced periodontal disease. Gum disease can actually kill you.
Watch a video on Horizontal Bone Loss
This insidious disease can wreak havoc on your social and professional life. Gum disease is a silent killer of teeth, as it is rarely painful and is usually hidden from your sight. However, there are signs and symptoms you may be aware of, including:
- Bleeding gums when you brush or floss
- Pus oozing from your gums
- Puffy, swollen or red gums
- Bad breath
- Metallic/bad taste in your mouth
- Loose teeth
Watch a video about the Progression of Tooth Decay
The importance of flossing
Recent medical research is revealing some startling news about gum disease. It appears that heart attacks, strokes, premature birth, and even cancer may be more related to chronic inflammation in the body than the usual suspects. The most common source of chronic inflammation in the human body is gum disease.
The newly suspected relationship between gum disease and heart disease and strokes is still being studied, but we expect to hear more and more about it. It seems that healthy gums may actually maintain a healthy heart!
Watch a video about the Pocket Reduction Procedure
Other studies have linked gum disease with low birth weight babies. And even more recently, cancer (pancreatic, specifically) has been linked to the chronic inflammation from periodontal disease.
Periodontal therapy
The easiest thing to do is prevent gum disease with good home-care and regular preventive professional care. However, when gum disease is present, it needs to be treated as soon as possible.
Watch a video on Scaling Calculus
Non-surgical gum treatment is offered at Lewisporte Dental Clinic. Often times, a thorough professional cleaning of the roots of your teeth will yield remarkable improvements. Localized antibiotic treatment may be used to supplement non-surgical treatment. Lasers can also be used to help treat more advanced forms of gum disease. And following that, more frequent professional cleanings may be recommended.
For the most advanced cases, referral to a Periodontist (gum specialist) may be indicated.
Watch a video about Vertical Bone Loss