Many people put off going to the dentist because they’re afraid they’ll have to undergo a painful, invasive procedure. Modern technology and advanced methods have made dental procedures more manageable for patients in recent years. However, some people still avoid going to a dentist for fear of embarrassment. One of the most common issues with oral health in adults is periodontal disease or gum disease. Even though periodontal disease has links to other systemic diseases like respiratory disease and cancer, many people with this affliction are ashamed even to address it. At Advance Dental Care Center, we treat every patient with respect, empathy, and understanding.
What Causes Periodontal Disease
There are several reasons for someone to suffer from gum disease. While failing to brush and floss your teeth regularly is one way to contract periodontal disease, it doesn’t mean that everyone who has it practices poor hygiene. Some of the common causes of periodontal disease include
- Smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco
- Hormone shifts while pregnant or menstruating
- Vitamin deficiency
- Dehydration
Some medications carry side effects like dry mouth that allow bacteria to flourish in the mouth. If your diet lacks vitamins and consists mostly of carbohydrates and sugars, you may suffer from gum disease. People with crowded, overlapping teeth are at risk for gum disease because they have areas between their teeth that a toothbrush or floss cannot access. People with relatives who have had gum disease are also at a higher risk than the average person.
Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease begins as gingivitis which affects roughly 75% of American adults. When gingivitis goes untreated, it advances into periodontitis as the plaque hardens into tartar and expands beneath the gum line. The early symptoms of gum disease are loose teeth and gums bleeding while brushing, which often go unnoticed until more severe symptoms present themselves. More advanced symptoms of gum disease occur once the periodontal pockets form on the gum line. These pockets collect bacteria and cause the gums to move away from the teeth. As the gums begin to recede, the bacteria will ravage bone and gum tissue, resulting in:
- Swollen and sensitive gums
- Bad breath
- Tooth loss
- Oral bleeding
If you’re experiencing early symptoms of gum disease, you must schedule an appointment with your dentist immediately to prevent tooth loss and other issues related to oral infections. At Advance Dental Care Center, we use state-of-the-art technology and advanced methods to treat periodontal disease, such as:
- Laser dentistry: We use lasers to pinpoint infected gum tissue and reattach it to the teeth and jawbone
- Antibiotics: Dr. Zamani prescribes gum disease patients strong antibiotics to stop and reverse the spread of infection
- Scaling teeth: We get the hardened plaque out from under the gum line with precision instruments
Arlington Periodontal Disease
Call Our Arlington, VA, Office Today
If you’re experiencing symptoms linked to periodontal disease, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment at our office. The team at Advance Dental Care Center in Arlington, VA, uses a gentle, compassionate approach while working with each patient. Contact us at (703) 415-0505 to put a stop to gum disease today.
