Studies from the CDC indicate approximately half of adults over 30 have periodontal disease. The condition worsens as you grow older and has a prevalence of 70% for people over 65. It can cause complications such as gums receding from the tooth and loss of bone mass. Read on and discover risk factors, prevention, and potential interventions for Union Square peridontal disease.
What causes periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is severe gum inflammation due to bacterial infection. If you fail to adhere to your daily hygiene routine, microbes in your oral cavity will form plaque. Plaque is a sticky film that covers the tooth surface.
Plaque can harden into calcified sediment called tartar or calculus. The deposit often spreads to the area under the gumline. Tartar makes it hard for your gums to attach to your tooth, forcing the gumline to recede.
Tartar is a stubborn mineralized deposit that is challenging to clean with conventional methods. Only a trained dentist can remove tartar using expert dental tools.
Periodontal disease risk factors
Sticking to your dental hygiene routine is the best way to reduce your risk of periodontal disease. Flossing and brushing your teeth twice daily is critical for eliminating disease-causing bacteria.
You may be susceptible to periodontal disease if you are a smoker. The nicotine in tobacco suppresses the immune system, increasing the risk of gum inflammation. Additionally, the compounds reduce the success rate of oral health interventions.
People with diabetes or Crohn’s disease have a weakened immune system, which makes them susceptible to gum disease. You may also be at risk if you have a health issue that leads to dry mouth. Disease-causing bacteria multiply much faster when your oral cavity is dehydrated.
Prevention of periodontal disease
Dental specialists recommend flossing your teeth before brushing, which ensures you clear food debris stuck between the teeth. Spend at least two minutes brushing to ensure your teeth are bacteria-free.
You should schedule a visit with your dentist at least once a year. The appointment can be beneficial even if you have no symptoms of tooth decay and gum disease. Your specialist can perform tests to detect early signs of dental problems.
Regular visits to the dentist are crucial for people prone to dental issues due to their health conditions. Your dentist may schedule appointments to monitor symptoms and design the best interventions.
Periodontal disease evaluation and treatment
A dental cleaning will minimize and reverse inflammation if your illness is in its early phases. Root scaling utilizes ultrasound to clear tartar from the tooth’s surface. Your provider may perform planing, which removes tartar and sterilizes the pockets under the gumline.
The diagnosis may indicate you need bone or soft grafting to restore the lost jawbone or gum tissue. The process can prevent further loss of the bone and tissue that support your teeth.
Grafting involves extracting tissue from other sections of the body. Your provider may recommend bone grafting before a dental procedure, such as fitting an implant.
Contact LivWell Dentistry to schedule a dental visit and learn more today.