About Gingivitis & Periodontitis

Periodontal disease (gingivitis) is a silent and sometimes painless disease until the advanced stages, otherwise known as gum disease or periodontitis. As an infection, gingivitis destroys the attachment between the gum and the bone, which supports and holds your teeth in place. Your body must fight this constant infection, which wears down the immune system. Early detection of periodontal disease enables our team of dentists and dental hygienists at Palmyra Family Dentistry to treat it with less radical treatment methods and create healthier gums with reduced general health risks.

Slow, but progressive, periodontal disease swells the gingiva and destroys the underlying bone that supports your teeth. Once the bone is lost, it does not regenerate. It may be generalized, affecting all of your teeth, or localized, affecting just one tooth. Gum disease affects both men and women of all ethnicities, from teen years through adulthood. In the early stages of periodontal disease, you might be unaware of its presence. Dental hygiene habits, medications, smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, general health, or genetics may play a role in the progression of gum disease. Initial symptoms of the disease may include swollen gums that bleed when you brush and a persistent odor to your breath. Symptoms can advance to the loosening and shifting of teeth and their eventual loss.

Research has shown that people with periodontal disease are twice as likely to develop heart disease, which may lead to a stroke or heart attacks. The gum inflammation characteristic of periodontal disease creates a path for the bacteria in plaque to enter your bloodstream. This bacteria travels throughout your body and may be a factor in numerous health conditions. The consequences of this bacteria lodging in your heart can be quite serious or even fatal.

Our Periodontal Treatments

One of the easiest ways to prevent the decline of your oral health is to maintain a regular schedule of having your teeth cleaned by one of our dental hygienists at Palmyra Family Dentistry. A professional teeth cleaning will minimize the accumulation of plaque and tartar on your teeth, which are the main contributors to tooth decay and gum disease. Your hygienist will also provide you with instructions regarding your personalized oral care at home. By working together, we can prevent the progression of gum disease and ensure that you maintain healthy teeth and a healthy smile. Your dental hygienist can also aid you in determining the best dental treatments and oral hygiene habits for your unique needs, such as how many dental appointments to make per year, what brands of toothpaste are best, and more.

At Palmyra Family Dentistry, our dentists and dental hygienists take great pride in helping all of our patients achieve their healthiest and most beautiful smile possible. If you have any questions about periodontal disease or would like to schedule an appointment, contact our Palmyra dental clinic today!