Gum Health

The Primary Reason for Tooth Loss

Many people think that teeth are mostly lost due to decay. But the biggest reason is gum disease. Sometimes there are no noticeable symptoms until you are actually losing your teeth. Bleeding gums from brushing or flossing or loose teeth are signs of gum infection. If treated in the early stages, there are nonsurgical methods to treat the problem. Once the infection has been become chronic, surgery may be the only option.

Gum Disease Contributes to Serious Health Conditions

You may be surprised to know the conclusions of recent medical research. Bacterial infections of the gums can lead to strokes, diabetes, and respiratory and heart illnesses. All of these can be fatal and dentists are now regarding gum disease as a very serious issue. The American Dental Association has provided statistics that show 80% of Americans have gum disease. Dentists regard this high percentage to be an epidemic and now consider periodontal disease to be a bigger problem beyond tooth loss.

The bacteria in the gums travels through the bloodstream, affecting vital and life-giving areas of the body. The American Academy of Periodontology states that “Studies found periodontal infection may contribute to the development of heart disease, increase the risk of premature, underweight births, and pose a serious threat to people whose health is already compromised due to diabetes and respiratory diseases.”

Easier Gum Disease Treatment

When gum disease is caught early, there are various nonsurgical methods that can work well to arrest the condition. Surgery may be necessary if the infection is in an advanced stage, though it is typically successful in controlling periodontal disease. Both levels of care are usually covered by most dental insurance coverages.

Are There Problems with Missing Teeth?

Yes, even a single missing tooth can allow other teeth to shift. This is bad news, as chewing can be affected and fewer nutrients are absorbed from food. It may become more difficult to chew raw fruits and vegetables and instead, softer foods with more calories may be consumed with increased frequency. These situations can result in weight loss or gain. Fuller facial contours may be lost without a full set of teeth, which can alter the shape of your face to make you look older. Your speech may not always be easily understood. You can avoid these problems by replacing lost teeth with dental implants. They look and perform just like real teeth, and they will feel just like natural teeth.

Treatment for Bleeding or Receding Gums and Bad Breath

These symptoms are often an indication of periodontal (gum) disease. The American Dental Association has indicated that most Americans aged 33 to 45 have gum disease of some kind – 90% of the population in this age group! Treatments vary and include deep cleaning, scaling, and surgery. We also offer a highly effective, FDA-approved treatment that is an alternative to surgery. With Perio Protect™, we can treat your gums effectively without surgery. It is painless and the results have been excellent. It is easy to do – you simply wear trays that resemble teeth whitening trays over your dental arches. When the medication is applied to the area, saliva washes it away. But when applied with trays, the Perio Protect medicine is held where it needs to be for full effectiveness. This means less time for healing and returning your gums to a healthy state.

Another Method to Halt Gum Disease Painlessly

We are pleased to offer patients another powerful weapon against gum disease. It’s called ARESTIN™. It comes in powder form and is composed of tiny microspheres that are not visible to the naked eye. These microspheres deliver a time-released antibiotic directly to the infection site (the spaces between the gums and teeth). ARESTIN then kills the bacteria that cause gum disease. The best part is that it’s all painless!

We can help arrest gum disease and bring your smile back to health. Call us today at (605) 882-0747 to learn more.