Periodontal disease is a serious problem that dental patients will often severely underestimate. This can put patients in a position to allow their dental problems to worsen. While it may not be necessary for you to know everything about periodontal disease, there are some key concerns that you should be mindful of.

Poor Dental Cleaning Habits Can Lead To Periodontal Disease

Preventing periodontal disease is one of the most effective ways of protecting your mouth against this hazard. Unfortunately, individuals that fail to adequately clean their teeth will be at a much greater risk of developing periodontal disease. This is due to the ability of plaque or tartar to work its way below the gums. This will allow bacteria to grow, which can lead to the surrounding tissue becoming diseased. By making it a point to brush your teeth throughout the day and to undergo dental cleanings twice a year, it will be far easier to prevent this disease from impacting your mouth.

Advanced Periodontal Disease Can Devastate Your Dental Health And Appearance

When periodontal disease is allowed to develop without being treated, it can lead to severe problems for your teeth due to this disease weakening the gums and jaw bone. Eventually, the gums and jaw will no longer be strong enough to support the teeth, which will lead to teeth falling out, shifting positions, or becoming noticeably loose. Due to the fact that periodontal disease may not cause much direct pain, patients will often go for far too long before seeking treatment. Once these symptoms have started to manifest, the condition is likely extremely severe and requires prompt care to save the remaining teeth.

Addressing Severe Periodontal Disease Will Be An Ongoing Process

Patients that are suffering from minor gum disease may find that a routine cleaning will help to treat this problem. However, most patients with advanced periodontal disease will not be able to be treated with such a simple procedure. Often, patients suffering from this dental condition may need to undergo gum grafts, bone grafts, and other fairly invasive procedures to address this disease. In addition to these procedures, patients may also need to use medicated mouthwashes and topical ointments to help their gums heal. For patients that are just considering seeking this treatment, it is important to appreciate that completely addressing this condition can take several months or longer. Exactly following the periodontal treatment instructions and recommendations of your periodontist can help to shorten this time, but each patient will ultimately heal at their own pace.