Danville Periodontics

What Causes Periodontal Disease?

Gum disease or periodontitis is an issue that puts your teeth at risk and even your overall health in danger. Gum disease is often marked by irritation or inflammation in your gum tissues that surround your teeth with sound support. When redness and discomfort occur, it’s usually due to the harmful bacteria and plaque buildup that often leads to ongoing bacterial infections. Some common causes of gum disease include:

• Poor dental hygiene
• Tobacco use
• Pregnancy and menopause
• Genetics
• Poor diet
• Diabetes or underlying conditions
• Grinding teeth
• Side effects from medications

Feeling stressed? That can also cause gum issues.

Getting Your Danville Gum Disease Diagnosis

Your treatment for any periodontal issues might be completely different compared to the next perio patient. Our methods for getting your gums healthy depend on the type and severity of your gum disease. Your Danville dentist and dental hygienist know what signs and symptoms to look out for. They’re able to provide you with a comprehensive evaluation and an appropriate treatment to get you back to your healthy self. If we catch your gum disease early (AKA gingivitis) with little damage done, your perio problems should be resolved with one or two dental hygiene cleanings. More advanced disease can require a special cleaning called scaling and root planing.

Gum Disease Maintenance That Works

Did you know that it takes just 24 hours for plaque to turn into tartar buildup? That’s why daily home smile maintenance is so important in beating gum disease in Danville. After you’ve completed your in-office periodontal treatment, you’ll receive a tailored maintenance schedule (usually four times annually) for a gum health checkup. We’ll also provide:

• Examinations of diagnostic X-rays, existing restorations, and tooth decay
• Oral cancer screenings of your face, neck, lips, and throat
• Oral hygiene recommendations
• Teeth polishing to remove stains and plaque

Good oral hygiene practices are essential in maintaining your health and keeping gum disease under control.

Understanding the Mouth-Body Connection

More research and various studies are providing growing evidence of the deep connection between your oral health and your overall wellbeing. We like to call this the Mouth-Body Connection. Science is finding that there’s a strong correlation between gum disease and other chronic health conditions. How is this possible? It’s believed that harmful bacteria enters the bloodstream through the damaged gums contributing to complications with conditions such as:

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Pregnancy complications
• Respiratory issues

If we get gum disease in Danville under control, that means patients are on track to reduce the risk of developing illnesses such as these.

Periodontal Disease and Diabetes

If diabetes is an illness that you or someone you know struggles with, make sure to be mindful of their periodontal health. There’s been a proven link between patients with pre-existing diabetic conditions and gum disease, showing that they are more likely to develop it. Diabetes that’s left untreated can raise blood sugar or glucose levels within your mouth. Unfortunately, this often leads to the unwanted growth of bad bacteria that can trigger gum disease. What’s worse? Untreated periodontal infections can also raise your blood sugar, making diabetes harder to control.

Periodontal Disease and Osteoporosis

Fragile bones with a low mineral dentistry, more commonly found in women, can be a sign of osteoporosis. This metabolic bone disease often appears in postmenopausal women, and studies have shown it’s often leaving ladies at a heightened risk for developing damaging gum disease. Both estrogen deficiency and low mineral bone density that often accompanies menopause is now linked to periodontal problems. The good news is that osteoporosis and gum disease in Danville are much less of a threat to you if we catch them early.

Periodontal Disease and Pregnancy

Expecting a little one and growing your family is one of life’s most precious gifts. We want all the moms-to-be to know that it’s important to pay attention to your periodontal health during pregnancy. This is important due to all of the hormonal changes in your body which can actually increase your risk of developing gum disease. Studies have found a link between oral health issues and:

• Preeclampsia
• Low birth weight
• Premature birth

Schedule a consultation today to help you and your baby stay safe and healthy.

Periodontal Disease and Respiratory Disease

Are you someone who struggles with respiratory disease? It’s important to let your Danville dentist know because there’s actually increasing evidence of a link between gum and respiratory disease. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be made worse by periodontal problems. There could also be a link in how or why you contract:

• Pneumonia
• Bronchitis
• Emphysema

You can see why we’re so adamant about getting gum disease in Danville under control. It can help eliminate unpleasant respiratory infections associated with COPD and other common respiratory problems.

Periodontal and Heart Disease/Stroke

It might seem strange to think about what’s going on inside your mouth actually affects the rest of your body. However, the connection is very real and very important to understand. Research shows that patients with gum disease are nearly two or three times as likely to also have heart disease — which can lead to a stroke. It’s important to note that not everyone with heart disease will show signs of unhealthy gums, while not all gum disease leads to cardiovascular issues.

What Are My Treatment Options?

The answer is easy: It depends on you! Every patient who comes to see us with questions about gum disease in Danville has a unique case and set of needs. We take all the time you need to create a plan of action that’s aimed at sensible treatment depending on the type of periodontal disease you have and how severe it is. It’s important to treat gum disease early, before it can do damage to your oral and overall health. From custom dental hygiene cleanings to scaling and root planing, we can help you get gum disease under control for a healthier smile and body.

Types of Periodontal Disease

Did you know there are actually different types of periodontal or gum disease? Here are some of the most common ones:

• Gingivitis – This is gum disease in Danville in its mildest form and easily reversible.
• Chronic periodontal disease – This is the most common form of the disease, occurring more frequently in patients over age 45.
• Aggressive periodontal disease – Rapid loss of both gum health and bone tissue makes this disease progress quickly.
• Periodontal disease relating to systemic conditions – Gum disease can also be a side effect of a condition affecting the rest of your body.

What is Periodontal Disease?

Did you know that periodontal or gum disease in Danville is the biggest reason why adults lose their teeth? This common inflammatory condition damages the soft tissue that your teeth rely on for support. Unfortunately, the more periodontal disease is left untreated, the more problems it causes for both your oral health and your overall wellbeing. It’s important to schedule a comprehensive examination with us so we do conduct a periodontal assessment. It could save your smile and your life!

What is Antibiotic Treatment?

One way we’re helping to wipe out gum disease in Danville is with the help of powerful oral and topical antibiotics that are effective at eliminating disease-causing bacteria in your mouth. Do you know what else antibiotics can do? They put up a fight against the harmful bacteria that causes gingivitis, the mildest, most common form of periodontal disease that’s characterized by:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Bleeding

We can decide what type of antibiotic treatment works best for you and your body to help beat gum disease.

What’s Periodontal Root Scaling and Planing?

If your gum disease is more advanced, there’s a special procedure you need to know about called scaling and root planing. You might also hear your Danville dentist or dental hygiene specialist refer to this treatment as a deep cleaning. We gently remove plaque, tartar, and toxins from above and below your gum line in the scaling portion of the process Next, we work through rough spots on your tooth root surfaces to make them smooth again — or planing. This all helps gum tissue to heal and pockets to shrink.