Periodontist in Delray Beach, Florida

What is gum disease?

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is a type of disease that occurs in the mouth. It is the result of a bacterial infection that destroys the gums, bones, and connective tissues that support the teeth and hold them in place. It is important to maintain good oral health to protect the gums. Your gums are the first defense you need to protect yourself from bacterial infections that occur in your mouth. When gum safety is compromised, bacteria will try to attack your mouth’s bones and tissues.

Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

• Soft or tender gums
• Swelling, inflammation, or bleeding of the gums
• Red gums instead of pink
• Bad breath
• Difficulty in eating
• Abscesses or ulcers
• Loose or rotten tooth

Causes of Periodontitis

Gum disease begins with the growth of plaque bacteria in the mouth, which can cause soreness and swell around the gum line. One of the main factors contributing to the development of periodontitis is poor oral hygiene. When plaque can accumulate on the surface of the teeth, this ultimately leads to the accumulation of tartar. Tartar is a hard calcined film that accumulates below the gum line. The dentist or hygienist must remove the tartar. The risk factor for gum disease increases significantly if plaque and tartar are not removed quickly.

Other causes include a family history of periodontitis, as well as individual patient history. Conditions such as diabetes and osteoporosis put the patient at an additional risk of developing periodontitis. Also, when such conditions occur, the immune system is already weakened, which may interfere with healing. Patients most often suffer from gums during the stressful periods of their lives. At this point, the patient can apply better oral hygiene. Hormonal changes associated with events such as pregnancy and menopause can also increase the patient’s susceptibility to developing infections. Some medications, such as antidepressants or statins, may also increase the likelihood of periodontitis.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Gum Disease

When the initial symptoms described above appear, contact your dentist immediately. We will perform oral tests and tests to determine the strength of the teeth and the level of gum disease, after which we will conduct treatment depending on the stage of the disease. The procedures include:

• Prescription for antibiotics/medicines
• Deep Cleaning – Planning and Scaling Roots
• Surgery

One of the first steps in the fight against the disease is a deep cleaning and deep brushing of teeth, which is carried out in dental surgery. This eliminates the accumulation of tartar, leaving the teeth clean, reducing the risk of disease, and helping restore gums.

The next step is treatment. Many medications can help you deal with gum disease that your dentist will talk about. The final step is surgery. Surgery repaired any damage to the gums, sometimes a lobe operation is required to replace the lost gums with new tissue to repair any damage.