One of the greatest threats to your dental health is periodontal disease. The good news is that with prompt diagnosis and care, you can take control of your oral health again. Today our Marin County dental team is providing you with an overview of how periodontal disease develops, how you can recognize it, and what kinds of treatments are available.
Periodontal disease is essentially a severe infection of your gum tissue and other oral tissues. The bacteria that are present in plaque can infiltrate your oral tissues and start to proliferate. Over time this infection can actually spread throughout your mouth to your teeth and your oral tissues.
Some of the early signs of periodontal disease are…
· Swollen gum tissue
· Bleeding gums, especially when you clean your teeth or eat
· Tender oral tissues
· Persistent bad breath
Over time, periodontal disease can lead to very serious oral health problems, such as…
· Loose teeth
· Diminished connective oral tissues
· Premature tooth loss
· Jawbone tissue deterioration
Additionally, emerging research shows that long-term periodontal disease can increase your risk of suffering from whole-body health issues:
· Heart disease
· Stroke
· Diabetes
· High blood pressure
· Rheumatoid arthritis
Modern dental technology has made it easier and more comfortable than ever before for our team to help you regain oral health. Laser treatment allows our dentist to eliminate infected oral tissues while preserving healthy tissues, so that your mouth can heal and regenerate. In fact, as we move the laser over your tissues, the laser actually seals the healthy oral tissues in order to promote tissue healing.
If you think that you are dealing with periodontal disease, please contact our dental team for more information and support. Early intervention and treatment can make a huge difference for the long-term health of your smile. Give our Novato dentists a call to get started!