Gum Disease Treatment
Recent research has linked gum disease (more properly referred to as periodontal disease) to other chronic inflammatory conditions such as cardiovascular disease, arthritis, Alzheimer's and diabetes. If you are diagnosed with any of these conditions, you should also be evaluated by a periodontist, as many forms of periodontal disease do not produce symptoms until a great deal of damage is already done.
One of the most important reasons to stay consistent with your routine dental care is to have a trained professional monitoring the health of your gums. You can have periodontal disease for years and yet be symptom free, so the only way to really protect your oral health is to be under the regular care of a licensed dental hygienist like the experts here at Naperville Dental Specialists.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek treatment as soon as possible:
- Redness, swelling or tenderness of the gum tissue,
- Gaps between the gums and the teeth,
- Gums that bleed,
- Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth that is persistent,
- Change in your bite, or the way your teeth fit together,
- Looseness or movement of permanent teeth,
- Pus between the gums and teeth that appears when the gums are pressed,
- Change in the fit of partial dentures.
It is very important to be aware of subtle changes in your teeth and gums, and to keep your regular appointments for cleanings. While some gum disease may be obvious, such as this patient with Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis (also called "trench mouth"), more often it is a great deal more difficult to detect.
You can have perfect teeth and still lose them to gum disease - take it seriously! If you even suspect you might have a problem, or if you have been diagnosed with any of the related conditions listed above, Make an Appointment or call us right away.