Periodontal Disease Prevention
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a prevalent problem in many adults over 30.
Periodontal disease is an infection of the foundation for your teeth, mainly your gums and jawbone. It slowly infects and destroys your teeth’s support system and can result in tooth loss if it’s not successfully treated and managed.
The good news is that your East Keilor dentist has solutions to help you successfully manage and keep gum disease at bay. With an excellent home care routine and consistent visits with your dentist each year, we can also help you avoid developing gum disease in the first place.
Signs and Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
When we detect gum disease in its earliest stages (gingivitis), you can typically treat it with less invasive procedures like a professional teeth clean and improvements to your home care routine. For some patients, these steps may even reverse their condition.
Gum disease typically progresses slowly and doesn’t cause much discomfort at first. However, some of the early signs of gingivitis to be aware of are:
- Gums that bleed during brushing and flossing
- Chronic bad breath (halitosis) that you can’t get rid of
- Gums that appear red, swollen, or irritated
Periodontal disease is a complex condition to diagnose independently, so routine visits with your dentist every few months are so important. Your dentist in East Keilor can spot gum disease early on, so you can be proactive about treating it before it advances.
The Oral Systemic Connection
Science has clearly connected periodontal health and general health and well-being. We’ve learned that the bacteria that causes gum disease can also contribute to these problems:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Complications during pregnancy
- Dementia
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Low birth weight in babies
When you protect your dental health with an excellent home care routine and consistent visits to East Keilor Dental every few months, you also protect your general health.
Treating Periodontal Disease in East Keilor
If your gum disease advances (periodontitis), you may notice your symptoms progress, your teeth may begin to feel mobile, and your gums recede.
Periodontitis may require a deep cleaning that reaches below the gumline to eliminate the plaque and tartar buildup causing your infection. Our dentists could also recommend antibiotic therapy to combat infection, or more severe cases of gum disease might require surgery.
Periodontitis, unfortunately, can’t be cured. But we can help you keep your condition under control with more frequent visits to our dental office for professional teeth cleans throughout the year.
Protecting Your Dental Health Is Simple
We invite you to contact our East Keilor dental clinic if it’s time to book your next dental appointment or if you notice you’re developing any symptoms of periodontal disease.
