Avoid the Dangers of Gum Disease
An all-too-common problem for many people is periodontal disease, or gum disease in Oak Brook, IL. While gum disease causes issues with your dental appearance and functioning, the greater health implications of gum disease are far more troubling. Although further research is needed, the bacteria that cause gum disease have been correlated with heart disease, diabetes, and other systemic health issues. At Periodontal Medicine & Surgical Specialists we take a holistic care approach that recognizes the connection between your oral health and systemic health. In treating your gum disease, we strive to make you a healthier person overall.
The best way to avoid gum disease altogether is by maintaining excellent oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day and clean between the teeth using interdental brushes, dental sticks, or dental floss once a day. If you should still develop gum disease, we offer extensive, comprehensive treatment. As board-certified periodontists, we are uniquely qualified to treat all levels of gum disease and can provide you with a wide range of services, from scaling and root planing to osseous surgery and periodontal maintenance. We’ll do what it takes to protect your health.
Warning Signs of Gum Disease
- Loose teeth
- Sores or pus in your mouth
- Persistent bad breath
- Receding gums
- Bleeding during brushing or flossing
- Inflamed, tender, or swollen gums (gingivitis)
- Changes in the way your teeth fit together (malocclusion)
Scaling and Root Planing
The initial phase of gum disease treatment generally includes scaling and root planing. During scaling, we eliminate bacteria and signs of infection above and below your gumline. With root planing our team removes plaque or tartar buildup from your tooth roots, smoothening them out and enabling the gum tissue to easily reconnect to the tooth. Smooth tooth roots are less likely to promote bacterial growth. After these gum disease treatments, you can typically enjoy better gum health and even fresher breath!
Osseous Surgery
If your gum disease is at an advanced stage, osseous surgery may be required. During this procedure our skilled periodontal specialists gain access to deep pockets by making an incision in the gums. Bacteria, plaque and tartar are removed from the tooth roots and the bone may be smoothed to encourage healthy attachment. Although healing may take a few weeks, the long-term effects of this treatment can prevent serious systemic health issues.
Periodontal Maintenance
Once you’ve undergone treatment for gum disease, it’s critical that you have periodontal maintenance on an ongoing basis to keep your gums healthy. During these appointments we’ll do deep cleanings, and more scaling and root planing if necessary. This way, we can prevent gum disease from regaining a foothold in the future.
Specialized Care from Leading Periodontists
Our team is dedicated to offering the latest, proven periodontal care available today. Published in the Journal of Periodontology, the International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry and Clinical Advances in Periodontics, among others, this team is dedicated to not only offering the latest but developing the latest techniques in their field. As periodontists, they each received additional specialized years of training with a focus on treating gum disease. Periodontal health is our passion and we encourage you to learn more about yours by seeing our team for a comprehensive consultation.
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- Gum disease, how it's affecting your health and what you can do about it