Periodontal Disease

Fight Periodontal Disease for a Healthy Mouth

Did you know that an estimated 80 percent of adults live with some level of gum disease, and many don’t even realize it? Gum disease, or periodontal disease, develops when plaque, the sticky film in your mouth, isn’t removed and hardens into tartar. The hard substance irritates gum tissue and emits bacteria, which promotes infection. Left untreated, your gums will begin to recede, and you risk more problems, such as tooth loss.

Research has also linked periodontal disease with serious health problems, like heart disease, osteoporosis, low birth weight, and diabetes complications. Because the early signs, which include bleeding and swollen gums, are mild, many people don’t seek treatment right away. Regular checkups allow us to monitor your dental health and spot problems early. If we detect trouble, Dr. Banda may suggest preventive care or periodontal treatment, such as scaling, root planing, or oral antibiotics.

Safeguard your oral health. To make an appointment with Dr. Banda, call our Bloomfield Hills dental office today. Patients throughout this area, including Troy, Birmingham, Bingham Farms, and Royal Oak, have found the care they desire in our practice. For more about gum disease and periodontal disease therapy, visit our patient library.

Periodontal FAQs

When it comes to oral health, most people seem to give higher priority to the teeth than the gums. This has resulted in many people not knowing as much about periodontal health as they probably should. Our team at Cranbrook Dental Care is happy to answer any and all questions you have about gum disease and other matters of periodontal health. Call us today if you can’t find the information you need among the common questions listed below.

How Serious is My Gum Disease?

Gum disease is typically either categorized as gingivitis or periodontitis. Gingivitis is the earliest form of the disease and is considered to be very mild. It’s actually sometimes possible to reverse gum disease at this point if you get a professional cleaning and make some changes to your oral hygiene routine. Periodontitis, on the other hand, is much more advanced, harder to treat, and is a more severe threat to your mouth. Untreated periodontitis can lead to tooth loss, and it might contribute to a number of systemic health issues such as heart disease. We’ll plan your periodontal treatment based on how severe your case is.

How Will I Know If I Have Gum Disease?

Since gum disease often develops silently, regular checkups are generally your most reliable method for catching the problem early. However, there are some potential symptoms you can look out for. Gingivitis often causes red, tender gums, and it might make your mouth more prone to bleeding whenever you floss or chew something hard. When gum disease becomes periodontitis, you might notice that some of your teeth have come loose, there are sore throughout your mouth, and you constantly experience an unpleasant taste. Call our office immediately as soon as you notice any of the preceding warning signs so that we can begin treating gum disease right away.

How is Gum Disease Treated?

Good oral hygiene is typically the best way to stop gingivitis from growing any worse, but once the periodontitis stage is reached, more advanced forms of treatment are required. We may recommend a deep cleaning that consists of scaling and root planing. With scaling, bacteria and other harmful substances are removed from the pockets between the teeth and gums. Root planing is the process of smoothing out the tooth roots so that bacteria can’t accumulate on them as easily in the future. In many cases, you’ll also be prescribed antibiotic therapy following a deep cleaning.

Can I Prevent Gum Disease?

Just like with tooth decay, the risk of gum disease can be decreased with good habits, including:

Using dental floss (or something else designed to clean between the teeth, such as a water flosser or an interdental brush) on a daily basis.
Brushing around the gumline twice a day.
Rinsing regularly with an antibacterial mouthwash.
Giving up cigarettes and other tobacco products.
Visiting Cranbrook Dental Care for regular cleanings and following your dentist’s advice for optimal oral hygiene.