What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is a common condition that results in damage to the soft tissue in your mouth. If left untreated, periodontal disease can destroy the bone that supports your teeth (your jaw bone) and lead to lost or loosening teeth.
What Causes Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is largely preventable, but that doesn’t mean people are taking steps to protect themselves. The leading cause of gum disease is poor oral hygiene. If you don’t practice good dental hygiene, bacteria will grow in your mouth and fester. Other behaviors that put you at risk for periodontal disease include smoking, diabetes, certain illnesses, teeth grinding, genetics, hormonal changes, and the use of certain medications.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Constant bad breath
Pain when chewing
Peeling gums
Teeth that appear longer
Losing your adult teeth
Swollen or tender gums
Sensitive or loose teeth
Gums that bleed easily
Practice Good Dental Hygiene
Managing your dental healthcare is vital to overall oral health. There are a few things you can do to practice good dental hygiene.
Floss your teeth at least once every day, at night, before you brush.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
Avoid smoking cannabis, tobacco or vaping.
Drink alcohol in moderation.
Maintain a healthy diet.
Treat and Prevent Periodontal Disease at One Manhattan Dental
Almost half of all adults in the United States have some form of gum disease. Treating periodontal disease depends on how severe the damage is. The most typical treatment for gum disease is a deep cleaning of the teeth and gums. Doing this prevents damage to your gums and bones. More severe cases of periodontal disease may require surgery to treat.
For those who have periodontal disease that cannot bring it under control through at home efforts and regular dental visits, worry not. One Manhattan Dental works within a network of New York City’s top periodontists, gum disease experts and bone specialists.
At One Manhattan Dental, we deliver first-class oral health and dental care to all our patients. Our dental professionals are committed to focusing on the best treatment to ensure we deliver at the highest level. If you think you may have periodontal disease, our expert dental team is prepared to help you explore options for treatment and prevention.