Periodontal Therapy for Gum Disease Helps Keep Westford Smiles Happy and Healthy
Gum disease is extremely common -- more common than heart disease, any specific form of cancer, or diabetes. Gum disease is the main cause of tooth loss, and gum disease can exacerbate a number of health problems. As much as 50% of the population has gum disease at this moment, and 80% will suffer from some form of it in their lifetime. Because gum disease is so common and so damaging, Drs. Dheeraj and Dr. Levenbaum provide periodontal therapy to treat gum disease for Westford, MA and surrounding communities.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is an inflammation of the soft tissues that support your teeth. The same plaque and tartar that can cause dental decay and cavities cause gum disease when they form below and along the gum line. These toxins cause infection of your sensitive gums, and this infection can spread quickly. Because symptoms often don't show up during the earliest phases, many people don't realize that they have gum disease. The earliest warning signs are red, swollen, tender gums and bleeding when you brush your teeth.
If left untreated, gum disease will begin to destroy the soft tissues and eventually the bone. Gums will begin to recede and pockets will form around the teeth. Bacteria can then hide deep inside these pockets, worsening the situation. Because gums help support your teeth, the formation of pockets will cause the teeth to loosen, and once enough gum and bone has worn away, the teeth will fall out or need to be extracted.
There are various phases of gum disease, with gingivitis being the earliest and least severe form. If we can begin your periodontal therapy during this phase, the procedure should be relatively simple and successful. The most severe form of gum disease may require surgical intervention.
What does periodontal therapy involve?
Periodontal therapy for gum disease involves scaling and root planing. Drs. Dheeraj and Dr. Levenbaum will clean out the pockets that have formed around your teeth, flushing out bacteria, toxins, plaque, and tartar. They then modify the tooth root, making it smooth so that the area below the gum line is less hospitable to infection-causing agents. With periodontal therapy, we should be able to stop gum disease from causing further damage, and follow up visits to keep your teeth and gums clean will help prevent future outbreaks.
Whether or not you're suffering from the symptoms of gum disease, it's important to get checked at our Westford dental office. Contact us for an appointment, and we'll assess your gum health and make recommendations as to whether or not you need periodontal therapy. We don't want you to lose your teeth, and we're sure you don't, either! If you're in Westford, Chelmsford, Acton, Littleton, Tyngsboro, Carlisle, or surrounding communities, we can support your gum health with periodontal therapy.
