Periodontal Disease
Sometimes our patients require special treatment to help them combat the more serious form of gum disease, periodontitis. This can cause a number of unpleasant symptoms including sore, swollen or bleeding gums and bad breath, and if left untreated can lead to loose teeth which can eventually fall out.
Treatments offered to help maintain the foundations for teeth often in conjunction with our hygienists.
Long-standing gingivitis can turn into periodontal disease. There are a number of types of periodontal disease and they all affect the tissues supporting the teeth. As the disease gets worse the bone fixing the teeth to the jaw is lost, making the teeth loose. If this is not treated, the teeth may eventually fall out. In fact, more teeth are lost through periodontal disease than through tooth decay.
Periodontal disease is never cured, but it can be controlled as long as you keep up the home care you have been taught. Any further loss of bone will be very slow and it may stop altogether. However, you must make sure you remove plaque every day, and go for regular check-ups by the dentist and hygienist.