What’s a little blood in the sink when you brush your teeth? It could be you brushed too vigorously, or it may indicate gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease in Natick. Left alone, gingivitis becomes periodontitis which destroys teeth, gums and bone and harms systemic health. Dr. Christina Papageorgiou and associate dentist, Dr. Medha Singh, restore gums to full health with expert periodontal therapies.
How Common is Gum Disease?
Unfortunately, gum disease affects almost half of adult Americans over the age of 30. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta) says that amounts to approximately 47 million people.
The professional team at Papageorgiou Dental Associates believes the best way to combat this oral health threat is prevention. That’s why they highly recommend 6-month examinations and hygienic cleanings to assess gum and tooth health and to remove the sticky plaque and hard tartar that infects and deteriorates gums, bone and enamel.
What are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?
Gum disease often hides itself from the patient, but skilled dentists and hygienists spot it right away, even in its mildest forms. One accurate diagnostic measure is called periodontal probing. Your dentist uses a small probe to measure and chart gum pocket depth, or in other words, how much space exists between gums and tooth surfaces. A normal measurement is 1 to 3mm. Deeper than that indicates gum disease.
As it progresses, gum disease presents with:
- Red, puffy, bleeding gums
- Pus at the gum line
- Bad breath
- Changes in bite and denture fit
- Tooth mobility
- Exposed tooth roots
While heredity contributes to gum disease, the dentists find that poor oral hygiene and systemic diseases, such as diabetes, factor into periodontitis as well. In fact, gum disease is linked to diabetes and to other difficult health conditions such as heart attack, stroke, kidney and liver disease, arthritis, dementia and more. Researchers say chronic inflammation from infected gum tissue influences how healthy you are overall.
Periodontal Therapy
Dr. Papageorgiou and Dr. Singh use tooth scaling and root planing to deep clean teeth and gums with mild to moderate gum disease. This gentle scraping with hand tools removes plaque and tartar and makes roots smooth so gums re-attach. They instill antibiotics as necessary to heal infection.
Additionally, the dentists employ special precise lasers to debride infected tissues. This revolutionary treatment removes debris without cutting, sutures, bleeding or pain. Gums heal well, and periodontal pockets return to normal depth.
Prevention is Best
Your dentist in Natick will track and chart the progress of your gum health. When you come for your semi-annual check-ups, you’ll know its exact status. So, keeping those appointments is very important.
Also, diligent brushing and flossing at home keeps gums pink and intact. Be sure to brush twice a day with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste as recommended by the American Dental Association. Floss daily, too, around and in between teeth.
Contact Us
Papageorgiou Dental Associates urges you to keep up with your gum health. Call the office today to arrange your semi-annual cleaning and check-up.