Did you know that periodontal disease affects more than half of American adults over the age of 30? The bad news is that this disease can result in tooth loss; the good news is that there are measures you can take to protect your oral health.
An Excellent Home Care Routine
Consistent brushing and flossing using proper techniques to remove plaque and bacteria buildup are the steps you can take at home. Adding an antibacterial mouth rinse to your home care routine can also help protect against gum disease.
Be sure to discuss the right products for your needs with your dentist.
Know the Early Warning Signs
Gum disease is tricky to diagnose on your own because there are very few symptoms and hardly any pain in the beginning. Some early warning signs to look for are gums that are swollen or inflamed, halitosis or bad breath that won’t go away, and bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth.
The first stage of gum disease called gingivitis can often be successfully controlled and sometimes reversed with a thorough cleaning and upgrades to your home care routine.
Periodontitis or advanced gum disease requires scaling and root planing, which is a deep cleaning below the gum line that removes plaque and tartar buildup. Your dentist may also recommend antibiotic therapy and surgery for severe cases to protect against tooth loss.
Consistent Visits to Your Dentist Every Six Months
Your routine checkups and cleanings are your best line of defense against gum disease because your dentist can detect it early on. Each six-month examination includes gum measurements, which screen for gum disease. Early detection of this disease allows you to have the best opportunity to treat it with less invasive procedures.
If you are concerned about periodontal disease in Royal Oak, MI, contact your team at Family Dentistry of Royal Oak today to schedule an examination.