Portage, MI
Periodontal Disease in Portage, MI
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease, or periodontitis, is a disease that affects your gum tissues. The disease causes inflammation or infection of your gum tissue. Gum disease is one of the most common dental diseases among adults, and it can quickly progress into severe or advanced periodontal disease without proper treatment. With early intervention and periodontal disease treatment, you can reverse the disease, reduce symptoms, and protect your teeth and gums. At Portage Northern Dental, we offer safe, effective treatment of periodontal disease in Portage, MI. We can treat all stages of periodontal disease and customize your treatment plan based on the stage of periodontal disease, your overall health, prognosis, and symptoms. Call us today to schedule a consultation for the treatment of periodontal disease.
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Recognizing Periodontal Disease Symptoms
The most common cause of periodontal disease is poor oral hygiene. When you don't brush and floss daily, plaque and tartar build up on and between your teeth. Plaque can harbor dangerous bacteria that can cause a serious infection of your teeth and gums, leading to dental cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath, and periodontal disease. Visiting your dentist each year for a dental exam and professional teeth cleaning, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle and oral hygiene routine will reduce your risk of periodontal disease. In its earliest stages, periodontal disease can be reversed, so it's best to visit Portage Northern Dental as soon as you notice any of these warning signs of periodontal disease:
- Gums that look red, purple, gray, or black
- Bleeding gums
- Gums that are sore, tender, swollen, or inflamed
- Bad breath
- A bad taste in your mouth
- Discomfort or pain when chewing or when pressure is applied to your teeth or gums
- Gums that are loose or pulling away from your teeth
- Loose or wobbly teeth
- New spaces or gaps between your teeth
Understanding Periodontal Disease Stages
As periodontal disease progresses, the symptoms worsen, and it becomes harder to reverse the disease. There are four periodontal disease stages:
- Gingivitis – Gingivitis is the earliest periodontal disease stage and is fully reversible. During this stage, your gums will look red and puffy and will bleed when you brush or floss your teeth. You may also experience bad breath.
- Early Periodontal Disease – Also called mild periodontitis, this stage occurs when bacteria infiltrates your gum tissue and begins to affect your bone. This causes your gums to begin receding or pulling away from your teeth. As your gums pull away, this creates pockets that can harbor plaque and bacteria, worsening your risk of infection and other complications.
- Moderate Periodontitis – During moderate periodontal gum disease, the bacteria that has infected your gum tissue will begin to damage the soft tissues and bone that hold your teeth in position. You will have bad breath, pus discharge, and pain.
- Advanced Periodontal Disease – Advanced periodontitis is the most severe periodontal disease stage. During this stage, bone loss occurs, and your teeth will become loose. Eventually, your teeth will fall out. Without treatment, you could lose multiple (if not all) teeth.
Treatment for Periodontal Disease
Your periodontal disease treatment options depend on which stage of the disease you’re experiencing. Gingivitis, and early, and moderate periodontitis are fully treatable and reversible. Advanced or severe periodontal disease that results in significant bone loss may not be treatable. You may need tooth extraction, dental dentures, a dental bridge, or dental implants. The most common treatment options for periodontal disease are:
- Scaling and Root Planing – Scaling and root planing is a very intense type of dental cleaning. We use special tools to clean between your teeth and beneath your gums to remove plaque and bacteria. This treatment is effective for people who have mild or early periodontal disease.
- Surgery – If you have advanced periodontal disease, you may need oral surgery. Surgery is performed with incisions or using a dental laser. During surgery, plaque and tartar are removed from deep underneath your gums and tooth roots.
- Restorative Dentistry – If you do end up losing one or more teeth due to periodontitis, we can design and place custom prosthetics that look like natural teeth. We can determine if you are a good candidate for dentures, dental implants, or a dental bridge.
Reducing Your Risk of Gum Disease
You are at a higher risk of gum disease if you smoke, have diabetes, have an autoimmune disease, are under a lot of stress, have heart disease, or don’t practice good oral hygiene. You can prevent or reverse gum disease in its earliest stages. Maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine and visiting our dentist annually for dental cleanings and exams can significantly reduce your risk of periodontal disease. You should brush twice a day, floss at least once per day, and use an antiseptic mouthwash. You should also avoid smoking.
Schedule a Consultation for Periodontal Disease Treatment
If you’re at risk of gum disease or are exhibiting periodontal disease symptoms in Portage, MI, call us today or contact us online. We will perform a thorough dental exam, take dental X-rays, make a diagnosis of periodontal disease, and design a personalized periodontal disease treatment plan. Our goal is to prevent pain, protect your teeth and gums, and reduce your risk of bone and tooth loss.