Identifying and Treating Periodontal Disease

Dentist and assistant showing X-ray to female patient

Plaque builds naturally in your mouth and, if not cleaned, hardens into tartar. If you don’t visit one of our Boston dentists to remove the tartar, it will continue to build and cause a myriad of problems in your mouth, including gingivitis. When gingivitis is not treated quickly, it progresses through several stages from simple gum inflammation to serious periodontitis. If gum disease is left untreated and allowed to progress, your teeth can be permanently damaged. When periodontitis is not treated, it deteriorates the bone and tissue around your teeth until they eventually fall out.

Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

Gum disease is swelling and irritation of the gums due to the persistent presence of bacteria. It causes your gums to pull away from the tooth, further exposing your roots to infections that could ruin your teeth and cause them to fall out.

It’s important to catch gingivitis and other gum problems before they escalate and cause periodontitis, which is why you should keep an eye out for the signs. These include persistent bad breath, gums that are red, swollen, tender, or bleeding; sensitive teeth, loose teeth, receding gums, or pain when chewing. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact the Dental Partners of Boston immediately for an exam and cleaning.

Treatment of Periodontal Disease

There are many ways to treat periodontal disease. If the disease is still in an early stage, a deep cleaning to remove plaque, tartar, and other bacteria should do the trick to get you back to healthy gums. Your dentist may prescribe special medicated mouthwashes, antibiotic gel, chewable tablets, and other medications to ensure bacteria are kept at bay. However, if the periodontal disease has been allowed to progress and becomes severe, surgery may be needed to clean out the gum tissue. Bone and tissue grafts may become necessary to repair whatever damage has been done.

If you think you have the beginnings of periodontal disease, contact Dental Partners of Boston, for an exam and a cleaning. We strive to be some of the best dentists in Boston and are ready and willing to keep your mouth healthy and those pearly whites shining bright.

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