What is periodontal disease and what are its causes?
Periodontal disease is an infection of the deep gum tissue, ligaments, and bone that support your teeth. It's caused by bacteria and bacterial byproducts triggering a severe inflammatory response from the body. If not managed over time, it can lead to a progressive loss of the supporting structures of your teeth.
Symptoms of periodontal disease
Symptoms include severe inflammation, redness, and swelling of the gum tissue around the teeth, bleeding gums, significant pain in the affected tissues, draining infections, loosening of the teeth, bad breath, and in severe cases, necrosis of the tissues around the teeth.
Conditions associated with periodontal disease
Poor oral health is connected to over 120 major health conditions.
- Cardiac disease,
- Diabetes
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Asthma
- Alzheimer's
- Osteoporosis
- Cancer
Can periodontal disease be cured?
Yes, with excellent home care and treatment from your dental team, periodontal disease can be treated and cured. However, damage that has already occurred cannot be undone.
Treatment Options
Effective and consistent home teeth cleaning is the first step. Professional cleanings from your dental team is the second step. Additional treatment with antibiotics may also be necessary in areas that are vulnerable or struggling to heal.
Are teeth cleaning and periodontal treatment painful?
Once you've developed periodontal disease, your tissues are already likely to be uncomfortable. However, with a caring dental team, the treatment process can be made very comfortable.
How can I schedule an appointment to evaluate whether I have periodontal disease and or to receive treatment?
If you are in the Oroville area call 530-533-7545. If you're not in the Oroville area, we recommend using Google reviews to find a local dentist. Look for positive reviews and comments about the office culture.