Gum disease is more prevalent than most people think leaving many patients wondering how to reverse gum disease. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shown that roughly one-half of American adults suffer from some form of these conditions. Periodontal (or gum) disease is an infection caused by the bacteria found in plaque and is responsible for more than just inflamed and tender gums. Left untreated, gum disease can negatively affect your overall health in many ways.
Though periodontal disease starts off in an easily curable and preventable form (gingivitis), if it is left unchecked it can quickly morph into periodontitis. In this advanced stage of gum disease, harmful bacteria can run rampant throughout the mouth, leading to increased risk of respiratory and heart disease (due to the presence and inhalation of bacteria in the mouth), and diabetes (due to an improper diet stemming from an inability to chew food properly). At this point, most patients would be looking towards surgery to help repair their damaged gums and teeth, but there are still other treatments available to you.
Prevention
The best way to prevent and treat periodontal disease in its earliest stages is to have your teeth and gums professionally cleaned at Woodstock General & Implant Dentistry. During your cleaning, the plaque deposits will be removed, along with the bacteria responsible for gingivitis. In addition to professional cleanings twice a year, a daily brushing and flossing regimen will help to keep plaque from building up on your teeth and gums.
For patients with gingivitis that has progressed to periodontitis, a professional cleaning at Woodstock General & Implant Dentistry is recommended to remove the build-up of plaque. It is also important to address and treat any underlying conditions or illnesses that may have contributed to the progression of gum disease.
Severe plaque build-up causes the gums to recede, compromising the support of the teeth. During your treatment, we will clean the pockets of the gums to prevent further damage.
Treatment
At Woodstock General & Implant Dentistry, we pride ourselves on offering our patients cutting-edge treatments to help prevent their gum disease from negatively affecting their overall health – no invasive surgery required!
One of the most common ways gum disease affects your health is by causing gum recession, due to a severe build-up of plaque. While a professional cleaning can help treat your plaque, the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique® is the best means of restoring your gumline to its natural state. This minimally invasive treatment involves no sutures and no incisions, is virtually painless, and requires almost no recovery time. You can return to your normal, everyday activities within the same day of receiving this treatment!
Even if your periodontal disease is advanced and the plaque build-up is severe, we can eradicate it quickly and near-painlessly. We’re proud to be one of a select few practices certified to offer the LANAP PerioLase® Procedure, a state-of-the-art treatment that lets us avoid the need for invasive gum surgery! Our highly trained dentists can use this precise laser technology to clear away plaque and inflammation in your gums, no matter how deep – without any cuts required!