Many adults suffer from some level of periodontal disease, most without even knowing it. Gum disease, or periodontal disease, occurs when plaque and tartar are allowed to build upon the teeth. These substances are ripe areas for bacteria to set in and affect the surrounding gum tissue. The gums often become inflamed and separate from the teeth, allowing infection to invade even deeper. Without general dental treatment, gum disease results in tooth loss and can affect your overall health. Downriver Smiles offers professional treatment for gum disease in Spokane.
While there are some other factors that increase your risk of developing gum disease, such as genetics or medications, most periodontal disease is a result of poor oral hygiene. Avoiding regular professional exams and cleanings and/or skipping your routine home oral care allows plaque and tartar to accumulate on the teeth. This plaque and tartar harbor bacteria that works its way along and below the gumline. The result is various stages of gum disease.
Gum disease can be reversed with treatment. Of course, catching it early means less invasive treatment and a faster return to good oral health. More advanced periodontal disease may require more invasive and extensive periodontal therapy, like root planing and scraping or medications. Extreme cases may require oral surgery.
Symptoms and Causes of Periodontal Disease
The symptoms of periodontal disease include red, inflamed and painful gums, and many with gum disease struggle with bad breath, or halitosis. The gums can also bleed, especially when brushing. This is caused by a bacterial infection that feeds on diseased tissue, plaque and tartar. Dr. Cory Gaunt and the team at Downriver Smiles in Spokane can diagnose your level of periodontal disease and prescribe an appropriate level of treatment.
This can often require more frequent dental appointments for deeper professional cleanings and other therapies that work to restore your teeth and gums to better health. This can prevent tooth loss, other oral complications and impact to your general health. Don’t wait for painful or bleeding gums to signal that you have an oral health problem. Contact Downriver Smiles in Spokane today to schedule a dental exam and professional cleaning.
