True—Unlike tooth decay, which directly attacks your teeth, periodontal disease attacks the gingival tissue and jawbone structure that support your teeth. Left unchecked, the disease takes away your mouth’s ability to retain your natural teeth, resulting in varying degrees of tooth loss.
False—The reason prevention is the best medicine for dental health issues, especially periodontal disease, is because dental diseases are progressive. If caught in its infant stage, gingivitis, then the bacterial infection that causes periodontal disease can be reversed. However, once it advances, periodontal therapy can only control the disease, not cure it, and any damage your oral tissues have incurred must be treated (i.e., reattaching periodontal tissues and ligaments that have separated during gum recession).
False—Bleeding gums are never normal or natural, and gingivitis rarely causes physical discomfort. When plaque accumulates along your gum line, the germs that comprise it release toxins that irritate your gums, causing them to separate from your teeth. The pockets formed can house more bacteria, which continues the cycle and prepares the way for gum disease. Red, swollen, and bleeding gums are the typical signs of gingivitis, though sensitivity and discomfort do not usually occur until severe periodontal disease exposes your teeth’s roots.
To learn more about preventing and treating periodontal disease, contact Dr. Kania at our Encinitas periodontist’s office by calling (706) 642-0711. We serve patients from Encinitas, San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, Del Mar, La Costa, and the neighboring communities.
Do you often struggle with chronic snoring and daytime drowsiness? If so, this could be…
In our previous blog, we looked at how the LANAP system can use dental lasers…
When you have periodontal disease, this could lead to discomfort, including sore and bleeding gums.…
When possible, we strive to manage periodontal disease with holistic and preventive treatments, which can…
Our team offers an array of treatments to manage periodontal disease and keep your smile…
When periodontal disease reaches advanced stages like periodontitis, this could lead to missing teeth. To…