How Healthy Are Your Gums and Teeth?

Gum disease also called periodontal disease can go undetected until it is diagnosed by a dentist.  Getting your mouth healthy is not only good for your teeth and gums, but important to overall health.  Periodontal disease eventually leads to tooth loss, and can wreak havoc on the body.  Heart disease, strokes, pulmonary disease, all have been linked to the mouth.  Regular check-ups at the dentist give opportunity to get a mouth back on a healthy track.

Keep Your Mouth Healthy

Let's take a look at periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is  plaque induced inflammatory response affecting the supporting structure of teeth. Plaque, a sticky film that forms on teeth and gums is full of bacteria  that irritates the gums.  As the plaque formation grows, it causes gums to pull away from the teeth and form spaces and pockets around the teeth. Plaque can harden into tartar, a more difficult substance that only a dentist can remove.  If left untreated, periodontal disease progresses until permanent damage and tooth loss has occurred.  Removing plaque daily by brushing and flossing can avoid the disease entirely.

Let's take a look at some of the warning signs for periodontal disease.

Bleeding gums present during brushing or flossing
Bad breath, even after brushing
Tender gums that have become engorged with blood
Pus between or around teeth
Teeth have shifted from their normal position
Partial denture does not fit any more
Bite has changed when teeth are put together

Let's talk about the stages of periodontal disease.

Gingivititis is the first stage of periodontal disease.  At this stage the gums have become irritated by bacteria infested plaque.  With proper treatment and home-care, the disease can be reversed.  Periodontitis is the loss of tissue and bone structure around a tooth.  It is a more serious stage, where some irreversible damage has occurred.  At the advanced periodontitis stage, the damage is severe to the supporting ligaments of teeth, and tooth loss has usually occurred.

The Marietta dentist, Kirk Kimmerling DDS is happy to welcome new patients concerned with gum issues to the dental practice.  It would be his pleasure to consult with you concerning options available for a healthy mouth and a professional teeth cleaning.