WHAT CAUSES GUM DISEASE?
The condition you may refer to as “gum disease” also is called “periodontal disease.” Periodontal disease is an inflammation of the gums that may lead to the loss of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. Plaque hardens underneath your gum line and acts like a splinter. This splinter irritates your gum tissue and can cause bone loss around your teeth. These splinters are difficult to remove plaque without help from a dentist, and periodontal disease can develop. If left un- treated, periodontal disease can cause teeth to become loose and effect your overall health.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I DEVELOP PERIODONTAL DISEASE?
Symptoms of periodontal disease include gums that are red and swollen and bleed easily, bad breath, pus between your teeth and gums; sensitive teeth, teeth that seem to be loose or moving away from one another, change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite, change in the way your partial dentures fit.
There are various stages to periodontal disease—from gingivitis (early stage) to periodontitis (advanced disease). It is critical to have regular dental check ups so we can catch potential disease early while it is still reversible and treatable. Red and swollen gums that bleed easily are a sign of gingivitis. At this early stage, the disease may be reversed with a professional cleaning and more regular daily care at home.
YOU MAY BE AT RISK OF DEVELOPING PERIODONTAL DISEASE IF YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING:
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- History of Stroke or cancer
- Poor oral hygiene
- Stress
- Heredity (Family history of gum disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes)
- Crooked teeth
- Underlying immuno-deficiencies (e.g., HIV, Hepatitis)
- Fillings that have become defective
- Taking medications that cause dry mouth
- Crowns and Bridges that no longer fit properly
- Female hormonal changes, such as with pregnancy or the use of oral contraceptives
CAVITRON® Ultrasonic Teeth Cleaning
The Cavitron ultrasonic cleaner is a state-of-the-art instrument for removing tartar from both above and below the gum line. Instead of cleaning your teeth with bulky and sharp metal hand tools, the Cavitron has a blunt tip and uses oscillating sound waves to gently vibrate the tartar away from your teeth. The Cavitron unit is so gentle that it can even be used to administer a deep cleaning many times without the need for anesthetic. It vibrates at the speed of sound, you will hardly feel the procedure at all. No more of that metal scraping feeling and sound!