Periodontal disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss internationally. Richard Higgs, DDS, the family dentist at Aquila Dental in Chandler, Arizona, work with patients to develop good habits that prevent this dangerous condition. If a patient does show signs of periodontal disease, they treat it before it can cause enough damage to lead to tooth loss. This type of gum disease doesn’t always present with symptoms, which is why regular dental exams are critical. If you’re interested in periodontal disease treatment, call the office or request a consultation online to make an appointment today.
Periodontal disease is the inflammation of the gum tissue due to infection. It is one of the most common dental conditions around, but also one of the most preventable. This deep infection destroys the soft tissue around the teeth and the bone that provide support. Once that happens, the teeth become loose and eventually fall out.
There aren’t always noticeable symptoms of this condition, especially in the early stages. Often, it is the dentist that first realizes a patient has a problem. Some common symptoms people notice include:
Healthy, disease-free gums are firm and pink. With periodontal disease, the gums are red or purplish.
There are three stages of this disease, and gingivitis is the first. The second is periodontitis, and the third is advanced periodontitis.
When the dentist tells a patient they have gingivitis, it’s a warning of the onset of periodontal disease. At this stage, it is still possible to reverse the condition and prevent tissue damage.
In the early stages, the dentists at Aquila Dental recommend non-surgical options like scaling or root planing. The disease is an infection so that antibiotics might be an option, as well.
In its advanced stages, patients require more invasive procedures like:
The goal is to restore or replace the lost tissue to secure the teeth.
Periodontal disease is entirely preventable. If a patient does have gingivitis, the dentist gets proactive about preventing the advancement of the disease and improving dental hygiene at home.
The staff at Aquila believe in promoting good dental hygiene that includes regular brushing and flossing along with visits to the office for an exam, cleaning, and preventive treatments. It’s a strategy that works for the whole family.
If you’re interested in periodontal disease treatment, give Aquila Dental a call, or request an appointment online.