Gum Disease in Natick is Treated with Periodontal Therapy

August 18, 2016

Gum disease in Natick threatens oral and overall health. Read about effective treatments at Papageorgiou Dental Associates.

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. (more…)

Periodontal Disease Therapy with Dr. Papageorgiou

September 17, 2014

472315273Many people may not know this, but having a healthy smile goes far beyond having white teeth that are straight. Like many things in life, it is imperative to have a solid, healthy foundation before you are able to have a thriving result of any kind. The same concept can be applied to your smile, as it is very important to make sure that you have healthy groundwork for your smile to be able to grow and flourish. Having healthy gums are critical to having a healthy smile, though many people consider their gums an afterthought. If you are suffering from gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, your smile is in danger of deterioration, and it is crucial you have them on the mend as soon as possible. Dr. Christina Papageorgiou is able to help your gums by offering periodontal disease therapy to her patients.

One of the main reasons why taking care of your periodontal disease is so important is because it can affect both your oral health and the health of your body. Untreated periodontal disease has the potential to lead to bone loss, tooth loss, respiratory complications, dementia, stroke, and put you at a higher risk for heart disease. Also, you chances of experiencing periodontal disease are increased if you have crooked teeth, have bad fillings or cavities, suffer from diabetes, use tobacco-based products, and much more. If you are unaware whether or not you are suffering from periodontal disease, a few symptoms are red and swollen gums, gums that bleed when you brush or floss, teeth that are shifting or become loose, and tenderness to the touch.

One way we are able to treat your periodontal disease is by scaling. This means we remove the harmful bacteria from below the gum line, prevent it from furthering the attack on your gum tissue. We will also do root planing, which means we will smooth out your tooth’s root that have become jagged due to the bacteria. If you would like Dr. Papageorgiou’s help in treating your periodontal disease, contact our office today!

Give us a call to schedule your appointment. Our Natick team is happy to provide you with whatever cosmetic, general, or restorative dentistry needs you may have. We are proud to see patients from Framingham, Wayland, Sudbury, Wellesley, and all surrounding areas.

Understanding the Mouth-Body Connection: Periodontal Therapy in Natick, MA

February 11, 2014

It is estimated that nearly 80 percent of American adults suffer from some form of gum disease, putting them at a higher risk for a variety of potentially life-threatening health problems. At Papageorgiou Dental Associates in Natick, MA, Dr. Christina Papageorgiou performs comprehensive periodontal therapy to help reduce the risk of associated complications before they become even more serious.

Gum Disease & Systemic Health

Though the thought of periodontal disease typically evokes images of bleeding gums and eventual tooth loss, the truth is that this common affliction actually affects the entire body. Bacteria that accumulates around and beneath gingival tissue can seep into the blood stream where it can wreak havoc on other tissues and various organs. When left untreated for any extended period of time, gum disease can contribute to the following health complications in men and women of all ages:

  • Cancer, namely of the blood and pancreas
  • Respiratory illness, including pneumonia and pulmonary hypertension
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Preterm birth – and resulting low birth weight – in mothers with periodontal disease
  • Complications in patients who also have diabetes
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Increased risk of stroke and heart attack

Fortunately, the use of periodontal therapy significantly reduces a patient’s risk of suffering from these and other medical conditions when implemented in a timely manner.

Restore Health & Vitality to Your Smile

If you or someone in your family is affected by any of the common symptoms of gum disease, it’s time to take the first step toward improved oral and overall health with periodontal therapy. Contact our office in Natick, MA to see how Dr. Papageorgiou can help you reclaim your smile today. We proudly serve patients from throughout Natick, as well as from the surrounding communities of Sudbury, Wellesley, Framingham, Wayland and beyond. We look forward to welcoming you to our dental care family!

 

Protect Yourself From the Hidden Dangers of Gum Disease

February 4, 2014

Shutterstock FlossingWhile periodontal disease gets the majority of its reputation for sore, bleeding gums and a greater chance of tooth loss, the fact of the matter is that this common infection affects the entire body in many unexpected ways. When left untreated for an extended period of time, advanced gum disease can contribute to a variety of potentially life-threatening health problems. Only professional periodontal therapy can completely reverse the disease and therefore lower your chances of developing these complications.

The Mouth-Body Connection

When bacteria that has accumulated along the gum line seeps into the blood stream, it can quickly spread throughout the rest of the body. Over time, the infection can begin to affect various other tissues and organs, resulting in health problems that may go undetected for years until symptoms develop. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, some of the most common medical complications associated with untreated periodontal disease include the following:

  • Osteoporosis
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Heart disease
  • Cancer, particularly of the pancreas and blood
  • Respiratory disease, including pneumonia
  • Complications in patients with diabetes
  • Preterm birth and low birth weight

Fortunately, patients treated with periodontal therapy have been found to be at a lesser risk of developing these problems. This is why it is critical that patients experiencing the symptoms of gum disease seek treatment as soon as possible. Common symptoms of periodontal disease include:

  • Bleeding when you brush and/or floss
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Redness and severe discoloration along the gum line
  • Sensitivity
  • A feeling of soreness in the jaw directly beneath teeth

Contact your local dentists in Natick to find out how periodontal therapy can help keep you protected from serious health problems associated with gum disease. We also happily welcome patients from the surrounding areas of Sherborn, Weston, Wellesley, Framingham, Ashland, Wayland and beyond.

Enjoy Relief for Gum Disease with Periodontal Therapy from Dr. Papageorgiou

November 15, 2012

As important as cavity-free teeth are, your teeth aren’t the only important aspect of your smile.  Healthy gums are just as essential. Recent medical studies have linked poor gum health to a wide range of other health problems in the rest of the body, including:

  • Heart disease
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Stroke
  • Diabetes
  • Pregnancy complications
  • Pneumonia

Thankfully, with the periodontal therapies you’ll find at Papageorgiou Dental Associates, patients from Natick and beyond have somewhere to turn when faced with such a common condition like gum disease.

It’s been estimated that gum disease affects 75% of American adults. But not every one of those cases is the same. For some, treating gum disease may only mean spending more time brushing and flossing every day. In other cases, a more advanced procedure, like scaling and root planing, may be necessary. Using either traditional dental tools or a soft-tissue laser, our team at Papageorgiou Dental Associates will help you remove bacteria and calculus from your smile, easing your gum disease symptoms and improving your oral health.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Do your gums routinely bleed during or after brushing? Do you struggle with frequent bad breath? Are your gums extremely red, discolored, or sensitive? All of these are a sign that you might have gum disease.

Call Papageorgiou Dental Associates today to schedule your consultation visit. Dr. Christina Papageorgiou would be happy to assess your oral health and recommend a treatment plan. Our team serves patients from Natick, Framingham, Wellesley, Wayland, Weston, Ashland, Sherborn, and beyond.