As your partners for oral health, the team here at Drs. Yung & Jelinek are equipped to identify and treat gum disease, a dangerous condition that is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Today we want to explore some of the warning signs of gum disease, as well as the threat it poses to your health, and to outline how we can help you overcome gum disease. Keep reading, and then give us a call at 540-253-1377 to request your next dental appointment in Warrenton, VA.
The 411 On Gum Disease
Gum disease, is nothing new. It has been around as long as people have. The difference is that we now understand what it is and what it can do to a smile. Like we said in the intro, gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is the #1 cause of tooth loss in adults. As such, it is nothing to take lightly.
Sadly, gum disease will adversely impact something like 50 percent of all adults aged 30 and over, and that number rises to about 70 percent for those 65 and older. That means there are millions of people endangered by gum disease, and the fact is that some of these folks will ultimately lose their teeth.
But that is not the extent of the problems that come with gum disease. Patients with gum disease will also experience a higher risk of overall health problems like diabetes and even heart disease. It’s believed that the bacteria from gum disease may affect other areas of the body once it gets loose in the bloodstream.
What Gum Disease Looks Like
The warning signs can vary. Some patients with gum disease have bleeding or swelling, while others may not exhibit any of these problems. Bad breath, gum recession, or even loose teeth are additional causes for alarm.
The thing to keep in mind is that gum disease is most easily treated in its early stages. If you have advanced gum disease, you’ll likely require special attention for the duration of your life. We suggest that patients with advanced gum disease visit our VA dentist’s office about every three to four months for targeted cleanings and assessments. In the end, if you’re not aggressively treating gum disease, you could be losing your teeth.
As with most dental issues, gum disease will never just go away on its own. If it’s left untreated, it only gets worse as the infection erodes the gums and bone. This is what causes the teeth to become loose and eventually fail. That’s when things get really expensive and painful to clean up.
There’s A Viable Solution
While gum disease is very dangerous for your oral health and overall well-being, it’s often a manageable condition and, in some cases, completely curable. At our office, we have dentists and hygienists skilled in restorative dentistry measures including nonsurgical gum disease treatments. Our team can help you treat your current dental problems and then educate you about how to steer clear of dental issues moving forward.
One of the methods for treating gum disease is through a method known as scaling and root planing. Beyond that, we can also treat the infection with antibiotics. Scaling allows us to remove any tartar beneath the gum line, and root planing actually smooths out the root to make it harder for bacteria to attach to the root. One way or another, we’ll get you smiling big again before too long.
Call Now To Request Treatment
We hope you have been inspired by today’s post. All you have to do now is call Drs. Yung & Jelinek at 540-253-1377 or fill out our online form to schedule your easy gum disease consultation appointment in Warrenton, VA.