What Is Periodontal Disease and How Does This Affect Your Teeth?

Periodontal disease is gum disease and without healthy gums you are in danger of losing your teeth. This is a bacterial infection that will destroy your gums and eventually the other structures holding your teeth in place which include ligaments and bone. In fact, periodontal disease is the main cause of tooth loss and is extremely serious.

It’s just one of the reasons why we strongly suggest patients come to see our Watton dentist at regular six monthly intervals. Periodontal disease is often referred to as being a silent disease, which means the very earliest signs of it are easily overlooked but can soon be detected by a dentist.

What Causes Periodontal Disease?

The main cause of periodontal disease is a lack of oral hygiene. If you fail to brush and floss regularly and thoroughly then it’s far more likely that your gums will become infected. Every day a layer of sticky plaque builds up over the surface of your teeth. Plaque contains the bacteria that cause gum disease and unless it is removed through brushing and flossing will soon harden into tartar. This is a hard, yellowish substance that can only be removed by a hygienist or dentist in Watton during a scale and polish. The problem with tartar is that it releases toxins and it is these that infect and inflame your gums.

What Are the Signs That I Might Have Periodontal Disease?

One of the first signs is noticing your gums have begun to bleed or that they look red or swollen. However not everyone’s gums will bleed, particularly if you smoke as nicotine constricts the blood vessels that would normally cause bleeding. Other symptoms include persistent bad breath and eventually you might begin to notice your teeth look longer than before due to gum recession. This gum recession can cause deep pockets to form in between your gums and your teeth and these pockets may contain pus. Eventually you may begin to find that your teeth don’t bite together quite as they should because they have begun to loosen and shift position.

Early Treatment Can Eradicate Periodontal Disease

This is the good news as periodontal disease is completely curable when caught early on and is why it’s vital not to ignore any signs or symptoms that something might be wrong with your gums. If you do visit our Watton dentist at regular intervals then it’s far more likely that any early symptoms will be quickly detected and at a stage when treatment is quick and non-invasive. Often it can be as simple as having your teeth and gums professionally deep cleaned and improving your oral hygiene routine. We can give you lots of advice on how to do this and good dental care at home really is very simple when you know the right techniques and have the right tools. Severe periodontal disease is a completely different matter and can be chronic; meaning our dentist in Watton will need to see you at regular intervals to keep it under control. There’s also the possibility that you may lose teeth.

If it has been a while since you’ve visited a dentist then why not contact Clarence House Dental Care to book a check-up with one of our dentists? There’s no need to worry if you haven’t visited a dentist for a while as we are only interested in helping you achieve good dental health. Call us on 01953 882777 or alternatively you can contact us through our website at www.ClarenceHousedental.co.uk.