Gum Disease & Treatments
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Periodontal (Gum) Disease |
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Gum disease is one of the the most common
dental problem adults face, yet gum disease can begin at any
age. Gum disease often develops slowly and without causing
any pain. Sometimes, you may not notice any signs until the
disease is serious and you are in danger of losing teeth.
The good news is that gum disease can almost always be
prevented. If it starts, it can be treated and it can even
be turned around (or reversed) in its early stages.
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| Signs &
Symptoms of Periodontal (Gum) Disease |
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- Gums that bleed during brushing and
flossing
- Changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- Teeth that are loose or separating
- Pus coming from between your teeth and gums
- Red, puffy, swollen, or painful gums
- Persistent bad breath or bad taste in your mouth |
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| Treatment
for Periodontal Disease |
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The type of treatment that you require
depends on the precise diagnosis. Often, treatment begins
with deep cleaning (scaling and root planing). Scaling is to
remove plaque and tartar that is below the gum line, while
root planing is to remove plaque and tartar on the roots of
teeth. Maintenance cleaning every
3 months may be required. Sometimes gum surgery may be
needed to correct the problem. |
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Maintenance |
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Good oral hygiene at home is very important
to help keep gum disease from becoming more serious or
recurring. Following your scaling and root planing visits,
we will need to see you at regular intervals to remove the
bacteria that accumulate at the deep space (pockets) and to
make sure the disease is kept under control.
- Brush and floss daily
- Eat a balanced diet
- See your dentist on a regular basis
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| Overall
Health Risks |
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Research has shown that people with
untreated gum disease have a greater chance of heart disease
and heart attacks. Bacteria in plaque are also linked to
increased incidence in heart infections, lung infections in
people with chronic lung diseases, a weakened immune system
and a higher risk of giving birth to premature, low-weight
babies. |
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Copyright West Street Dental Group 2002-2005, all rights
reserved |
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