At Chicago Beautiful Smiles, we strive to give every patient a smile that instills confidence and pride, and advanced periodontal care can go a long way towards ensuring a healthy foundation for that smile. Periodontal disease (gum disease) occurs when plaque and harmful bacteria builds up around and under the gums. While the preliminary symptoms of periodontal disease are relatively mild, the condition can worsen when left untreated. At first, patients with periodontal disease will likely experience swollen, red gums that are sensitive and especially prone to bleeding. If the condition is allowed to progress, patients can experience more severe consequences, including loose teeth, complete tooth loss, and even an increased risk for serious health conditions such as heart disease or stroke.
When we are able to diagnose periodontal disease at its earliest stages, we can perform a number of treatments designed to restore your gums to their previous state of health and reverse some of the damage. Scaling and Root Planing (SRP) with Arestin placement are some of the treatment options for early stages of Periodontal Disease. However, if you are suffering from more advanced stages of periodontal disease, there are restorative procedures that can improve the tooth issues that occurred from gum disease.
It’s important to properly maintain a good daily hygiene routine that includes brushing and flossing twice a day, as well as keeping up with regular dental cleanings and exams, so your teeth and gums remain healthy and beautiful. With these regular exams, our dental professionals can identify dental problems early, so you can get the treatment you need to correct them. Exams are also essential in preventing periodontal disease. Good oral health habits will ensure your teeth and gums are healthy for years to come.
Periodontics -Gum Disease
– What can Chicago Beautiful Smiles do for you?
Periodontal disease is defined as an infection that affects the jawbone and gums. It is an aggressive disease that is highly common and can cause dramatic bone loss, as well as exacerbate a variety of health problems, such as diabetes and cardiovascular issues. When the infection is uncontrolled, you may even lose your teeth. As the jaw bone deteriorates due to the infection, the tooth roots aren’t solidly anchored as they should be. In fact, this is one of the top reasons for tooth loss.
Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is often painless while it’s in the early stages. Once it advances, that unfortunately changes. Before you reach the advanced stages, there are a few indicators you may have an issue:
- Are your gums swollen or red?
- Do you find your gums bleed during brushing, flossing or possibly eating?
- Are your gums itchy or achy?
- Do you suffer from a receding gum line?
- Are you plagued with bad breath, also known as Halitosis?
- If you apply pressure to your teeth, does fluid ooze out?
- Has your bite changed in any way?
- Do your partial dentures fit differently?
- Are you suffering from loose teeth?
- Are there unusual spaces forming between your teeth?
Periodontics -Gum Disease
– What can Chicago Beautiful Smiles do for you?
If you are diagnosed with gum disease, there are many treatment options that might be available to you to help you maintain your teeth. Our doctors and skilled hygienists will work with you to optimize your home oral care and deliver state-of-the-art treatment methods to eliminate the plaque and tartar damaging your teeth and gums.
Treatment
Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums and the surrounding bone that is often brought on by bacteria in the mouth. In most cases, a person cannot fight this infection without the removal of the cause. Removing the plaque from the mouth will allow for the reduction of symptoms and defeat of the bacteria. Proper periodontal care is important in the fight of this disease.
Systemic Links to Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease has been known to have a direct link to many serious health problems. The issues, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, lung infections and complications with childbirth, are often linked to periodontal disease due to the fact that the mouth is the most important entry way for the digestive system. As we eat, breathe, and swallow throughout the day, we are constantly absorbing harmful bacteria into our bodies. These bacteria can cause serious issues within our bodies. Practicing good periodontal health is a great way to fight against infections in the body, while also doing the best for your continued oral health.
At Chicago Beautiful Smiles, we care about your periodontal care and offer these services to those in the Glenview, Northbrook, Winnetka, Deerfield, Highland Park, Chicago and North Shore areas.
