Many people do not realize that periodontal maintenance is as fundamental to your oral health as dental care. Furthermore, the important role your gums play in your physical well-being is also overlooked, sometimes resulting in serious health consequences.
Gum Disease Signs and Treatments
Dental hygiene routines completed at home must include the maintenance of periodontal health. Therefore, cleaning regimens should always include daily flossing to remove plaque that has accumulated under the gum line and in hard to reach corners between teeth. If plaque is not routinely removed, gums can become infected.
Signs of gum disease include redness, swelling, bleeding and tenderness, which if left untreated can lead to tooth loss. After plaque calcifies into tartar, gums may recede and develop deep pockets of infection. Teeth can loosen and fall out; however, there are periodontal treatments that can reverse and eliminate gum disease in its initial stages. Several procedures such as tooth scaling and root planing, as well as laser treatments, gum surgery and antibiotic prescriptions are often used to restore periodontal health.
Periodontal Disease Affects Your Physical Health
Gingival tissue is very vascular, which means many blood vessels are present. When the gums are infected, pathogens enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body, which may contribute to many serious health conditions, for example:
- Infection of vital organs
- Heart attack and stroke
- Difficult in controlling diabetes
- Pregnancy complications
- Worsening of Arthritis
- Alzheimer’s Disease
Plaque and inflammation are responsible for most of the systemic ailments associated with poor oral health.
Dr. Daniel J. Clark Provides Vigilant Periodontal Care
At Clark Family Dentistry we take your periodontal health seriously by providing outstanding treatment and education. With routine exams and cleanings, we can make certain your gums not only support excellent dental health, but physical health as well. Contact our office in Hillsboro for quality and compassionate care!