Periodontal Therapy Cures Gum Disease
How Can I Keep My Gums Healthy?
Maintaining strong, healthy gum tissue is very important for your smile. That’s why our team recommends that patients undergo regular periodontal exams so that we can diagnose the presence of periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) as early as possible. Periodontal disease is one of the most common health problems in the world, not to mention the leading cause of tooth loss among American adults. If you’re overdue for a checkup, don't hesitate to contact Dina H. Cocco, DDS, PC of Ann Arbor today here in Ann Arbor, MI.
When Dr. Cocco performs your periodontal examination, she will check for the following symptoms:
- Any signs of tender, swollen, or bleeding gums
- How much plaque is currently located on the teeth and gums
- Whether any of your teeth are missing and/or suspiciously loose
- If there are any lumps or strange areas of tissue in the mouth
- How much space exists between your teeth and your gum tissue
Periodontal disease comes in two distinct forms: gingivitis and periodontitis. During gingivitis, symptoms are mild and reversible as long as the patient is able to combat them quickly with personal oral hygiene and professional maintenance from a team like ours. Unfortunately, periodontitis is a more advanced and permanent version of the disease, and it occurs when gingivitis goes untreated for too long. That’s just one of the reasons why we strongly recommend that you pay us a visit every six months!
Periodontal FAQs
Staying on top of your gum health is undeniably important — and being well-informed about gum disease and how to manage it can help you to do just that. In this FAQ section, you will find succinct answers to some questions that our patients commonly have about periodontal health. If you do not find the information you were hoping to, contact us directly so we can personally address any questions or concerns you may have.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Gum disease occurs when harmful bacteria invade the gum tissue and start to attack it. Usually, this occurs due to missteps in oral hygiene. For example, some people frequently forget to brush along the gumline, or they may have misaligned teeth that make it difficult to maintain a clean mouth. In other cases, despite excellent oral hygiene, an individual develops gum disease due to a genetic predisposition. Tobacco use, diabetes, and inadequate nutrition are additional risk factors that may contribute to the development of periodontal problems.
What Are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?
Red, tender, and swollen gums are one of the primary indicators of gum disease. Persistent bad breath, gum recession, sensitive teeth, and gums that bleed easily during brushing and flossing are also common symptoms. If you notice any possible signs of gum disease, you should visit our team for a checkup right away so we can use periodontal therapy in Ann Arbor to nip the problem in the bud before it becomes a serious threat to your oral and overall health.
What Is the Best Way to Treat Gum Disease?
The best way to treat gum disease depends on how far the condition has progressed. In cases of gingivitis, improved oral hygiene and regular professional monitoring may be all it takes to reverse the disease. However, a deep cleaning of the mouth might also be necessary. In more advanced cases of gum disease, surgery or other major treatments might be the best way to help the gums heal. Dr. Cocco, your dentist in Ann Arbor, makes personalized treatment recommendations based on each person’s unique circumstances.
How Will Gum Disease Affect My Overall Health?
Many people are under the mistaken impression that gum disease is solely an oral health problem. However, that is not the case. Many scientists believe that once the bacteria that causes gum disease sneak into the blood stream, they can wreak havoc on other bodily systems. Research has found a strong correlation between gum disease and several serious systemic health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, preterm birth, dementia, and more.