Periodontal Disease: A Brief Overview

Periodontal (gum), diseases are a serious national concern. They are more common than the common cold, with 90% of adults having some form of periodontal disease, and 37% having had significant tooth or bone loss. Even more alarming, 30% of our children already have early symptoms. Periodontal diseases, not decay, are responsible for 60% of all adult teeth lost.

Because these diseases progress very slowly and usually without pain, they often escape early notice. Traditional tests such as x-rays and periodontal probing can only reveal damage to the supporting bone after it occurs. The good news is that researchers have discovered the causes of periodontal diseases. They are the result of the interactions between specific bacterial infections and our immune systems and new diagnostic methods can disclose your risk of periodontal disease before significant damage can occur. These are also new treatments that are both effective and inexpensive.

If an infection is discovered, we treat it conservatively, much as a physician would treat a local infection. It is first thoroughly cleaned, then irrigated with antibacterial solutions. If the infection is severe, a systemic antibiotic may be prescribed. We will reinforce your home care methods to keep your gums from becoming re-infected.

You can be justly proud of the training and experience of your dental health team. We pride ourselves on keeping up with the latest advances in dentistry and look forward to helping you keep your teeth disease free for a long and happy life.