Gum Disease is Preventable
There are many signs of gum disease; bad breath, bleeding gums, loose teeth, and bone loss to name a few. Periodontist Dr. Darryl Field treats gum disease every day, and statistics show three quarters of adults have some stage of gum disease.
Treatment is crucial to keeping your mouth and even the rest of your body healthy. Medical research indicates that gum disease can cause other serious problems, including cancer, heart disease, low-weight babies and other chronic diseases.
It has been estimated that 75% of Americans have some form of gum disease which can be linked to serious health complications and causes dental problems that are avoidable.
To prevent gum disease make a point to brush and floss at least twice a day and be sure to keep regular periodontal checkups with your doctor. For state-of-the-art laser gum surgery, call our periodontist Dr. Field today.
The 3 Stages of Gum Disease Are:
Gingivitis
Reversible With Minor Dental Procedures
Periodontitis
Immediate Treatment Necessary to Prevent Further Damage
Advanced Periodontitis
Aggressive Treatment Needed to Save the Teeth
The three stages and signs of gum disease
The signs of gum disease in the earliest stage are caused by an accumulation of plaque on the tooth surface. The gums and jaw bone are still in decent shape, but there may be some bleeding and swelling.
The signs of gum disease at this stage are much more serious. The gums are now clearly infected with bacteria and are often receding and causing gaps between the teeth. Periodontal pockets are also getting increasingly deeper, and the jaw bone may be showing signs of decay. Laser dental surgery with Dr. Field is strongly recommended to remove the bacteria and prevent further damage.
The signs of gum disease at this point are extremely damaging. The teeth may be loose or falling out and causing bone loss. Loss of teeth can create problems with speaking and eating. The muscles in the face can also start to sag and the remaining teeth will become misaligned and throw the bite off track. Fortunately, Dr. Field can still remove the bacteria and try to preserve existing teeth and bone with laser dental surgery.
