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When you look in the mirror, do you see gums that are pink and pale or red and puffy? Are they snug against your teeth or protruding? All of these are factors that can point to either healthy or diseased soft tissue in your mouth. Since September is National Gum Care Month, it is time to discuss just how harmful periodontal disease can be to your oral and overall health as well as how gum disease treatment in Medford can be a beneficial solution to preventing more significant problems from occurring.
How Can Gum Disease Negatively Impact Your Overall Health?
If asked whether you believe problems in your mouth can have an effect on your overall health, you may not think it’s possible; however, when you stop to think about it, it makes perfect sense that the mouth and body are closely connected. That means, when a problem exists in one area, you can expect to experience issues in the other.
Since gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, not only causes inflamed, bleeding gums in Medford as well as potential bone and tooth loss, it is also closely connected to various health-related problems that often require medical treatment, some of which include:
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Heart disease (i.e. heart attack, stroke)
- Respiratory disease
- Neurological disorders (i.e. Alzheimer’s, Dementia)
- Pregnancy issues (i.e. premature birth, low birth weight)
- Osteoporosis
What is Gum Disease Treatment?
Depending on how far along your gum disease has progressed, you may or may not be able to reverse it. If your dentist in Medford discovers it during its early stage (gingivitis), thorough dental cleanings and at-home oral hygiene practices can remove harmful plaque and tartar and reverse it.
If the plaque and tartar have moved past the gum line and are now causing pocket formations, it is likely you are experiencing periodontitis, which is a more advanced stage of periodontal disease. To prevent the problem from worsening or causing bone and tooth loss, your dental team will perform a deep cleaning procedure known as scaling and root planing.
Scaling involves removing plaque and tartar from beneath the gum line, and root planing is the smoothing of the tooth root to encourage the gums to reattach and fit snugly up against your teeth again. This process can take months to be fully effective, and periodontal patients will need to visit the dentist’s office more often than the traditional six-month appointments.
There are ways to prevent gum disease, which include brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing at least once, and using mouthwash to rinse away leftover bacteria and food particles. You should also remember to keep your regular dental appointments (twice a year) to ensure gum disease is not developing. By keeping these tips in mind and seeking treatment the moment your soft tissues look out of the ordinary, you can maintain optimal gum health for the rest of your life.
About the Author
Dr. Gary Rosenfeld completed his doctorate at Columbia University Dental School in 1984 before completing a General Practice Residency at Sea View Hospital on Staten Island. Honored by the New York State Dental Society for completing more than 1,000 hours of continuing education throughout his career, Dr. Rosenfeld is FirstFit certified and can provide dental procedures more efficiently and quickly. He and his team at Island Daily Dental Care want all patients to have optimal oral health, which is why when problems such as gum disease are present, it’s time to seek treatment as soon as possible. To learn more about this common, yet, harmful disease, visit our website or call (631) 286-9000.