Gum disease — also known as pyorrhea and periodontal disease — is an infection of the gums that destroys teeth when left untreated. Understanding how this disease affects much of the population can help motivate and prepare you to fight its dangerous effects.
Although we regularly group periodontal sicknesses under the umbrella term “periodontal disease,” those words can apply to different levels of diseases. These conditions include gingivitis, periodontitis, aggressive periodontitis and chronic periodontitis.
The less severe type of periodontal disease, referred to as gingivitis, causes gums to swell and bleed. Fortunately, gingivitis is curable with services from a dentist. Gingivitis may grow to periodontitis if tartar is not removed from the gums over time. In periodontitis, tartar spreads underneath the gums, and acids in the tartar harm and inflame the gums to make bacteria-filled pockets which decay bone and loosen teeth.
Treatment options for periodontal disease might differ with the severity of the infection, but control and reversal (where possible) are the goals of any treatment. Services may include deep cleaning, laser service, medicines, bone/tissue grafts, tissue regeneration, tissue stimulation and flap surgery.
Our goal is to keep your chompers clean and to reverse destruction from tooth-decaying bacteria. Please call our office today at (425) 828.9721 to set up a visit with Dr. Danlu Lee & Wendy Yeung and the Radiant Smiles Family Dentistry staff in Kirkland, Washington.