What are the Symptoms of Periodontal Disease?

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Periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease, affects a number of adults to varying degrees. Depending on the progression of the disease, one may notice inflamed gums that make teeth sensitive to temperatures and pressure, ultimately weakening the support of teeth and may lead to their loss. 

Family dentists go to great lengths to educate patients of all ages on the importance of oral hygiene to prevent such ravages to oral health, neglect of which may require the attention of cosmetic dentists to repair the damage.

Who Gets Gum Disease and How?

For many, the first time they feel symptoms of gum disease is usually once it had progressed significantly. This usually comes after ignoring milder states of periodontal infections such as gingivitis. This is almost always the direct effect or improper hygiene practices that allows plaque to build up along the gumline. This accumulation of bacteria applies itself as a film that traps in food and foreign agents that harden to become tartar. At this point, only a professional cleaning can address what brushing could have avoided.

Who is Most at Risk?

Obviously the unhygienic are most susceptible for contracting gum disease and oral infections. There are developmental changes, such as puberty and menopause that can increase the probability of developing gum disease. There are some with medical conditions that make them more prone to all kinds of infections and disease. But there are also lifestyle choices and habits that increase the likelihood of contraction.

Smokers of cigarettes are exposed to carcinogens that can contribute to tartar build, and regular smokers are at higher risk for treatment due to lower immunities to combat infection. Those with Type-2 or Adult Onset Diabetes regularly develop infections that can lead up to gum disease, if this coupled with a high sugar and/or carbohydrate diet, contributing additives to plaque are introduced.

What are Signs of Gum Disease?

As with all infections, the body communicates that something is wrong as fast as possible. Most people don't recognize these warning signs, increasing the chance of irreparable damage, discomfort, and pain.

For many, the symptoms are the same. One will experience foul breath, swollen and inflamed gums, tenderness, bleeding, discomfort when eating and drinking, increased sensitivity, and discoloration of teeth. While any one of these symptoms may not be indicative of gum disease, several of them warrant immediate attention from a dentist.

How is Gum Disease Treated?

As with other visits to the dentist, there will be a recounting of medical history to assess the past health of the patient. This will be followed up by an examination to determine the extent of the infection and the state of the gums and teeth. There are many treatment options that are readily available to dentists, and the method chosen depends on the patient and their condition. Irrespective of the method of treatment, the patient will be expected to reevaluate their method of oral hygiene to prevent a second infection.

In addition to this change in lifestyle and daily routine, most dentists will encourage regular visits and deep cleanings to remove tartar that may have been missed in the months prior.

If you are seeking professional dental advice, it's time to call Shumway Dental Care. Their Chandler dentists will ask you questions, examine you, and determine exactly what needs to be done to get you back to normal. Call today for an appointment. Visit http://shumwaydental.com/.

Should I Get Full Dentures or Partials?

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The dilemma of having to choose between full dentures or partials is really a choice that you have to make with professional advice. Cosmetic dentists and family dentists can guide their patients as to how extensive the problem is and what the best procedure and answer would be for the patient's welfare.

What is a denture?

A denture acts as a replacement for missing teeth and tissues, and it can be taken out and put back into the mouth. While it takes time to get used to wearing dentures, and they do not really feel like your real teeth, today's dentures are more comfortable and natural looking than they used to be.

Full or complete dentures

After the removal of all remaining teeth, and the gum tissues have had a chance to heal, a CONVENTIONAL full denture is ready for placement in the mouth about eight to 12 weeks after the teeth have been removed. As the healing takes place, during that time you are without teeth.

IMMEDIATE dentures are custom created in advance by measurements and models of your jaw during an earlier visit and are inserted immediately after all remaining teeth are removed. Although that means that the wearer does not have to go a period of time without teeth, gums and bones shrink during the healing period.

Therefore, a disadvantage of the immediate dentures is that they will require more adjustments in order to fit properly and will probably have to be relined several months after insertion because the bone supporting the teeth reshapes as it heals and causes the dentures to become loose.

Dentures are custom-made in a dental laboratory from impressions previously taken of your mouth. Full dentures have a base in a flesh color and rests over your gums. The upper base covers the palate/roof of your mouth. The base of the lower denture is in the shape of a horseshoe to allow room for your tongue.

Partial dentures

Partial dentures are used when some teeth are missing and some natural teeth remain. The dentures attach to regular teeth and replace ones that are missing. The dentures are constructed of tissue colored acrylic or light-weight metal alloy.

A removable partial denture/bridge is made up of replacement teeth attached to that base, and often are connected by metal framework to hold the denture in place. This is used when there are still some healthy natural teeth in the jaw.

A fixed bridge is to replace teeth by putting crowns on the teeth on either side, attaching artificial teeth to them, and cementing the bridge into place. In addition to a partial denture filling in the empty spaces created by missing teeth, it also can prevent other teeth from changing their positions. More natural looking is a partial denture that is removable and has internal attachments instead of clasps that attach to adjacent crowns that may have to have been placed on some of your teeth to provide anchors.

Remember that family dentists and cosmetic dentists can explain the dentures process to you in detail and answer any of your questions.

If you are seeking professional dental advice regarding dentures, it's time to call Shumway Dental Care. Their Chandler dentists will ask you questions, examine you, and determine exactly what needs to be done to get you back to normal. Call today for an appointment. Visit http://www.mychandlerdentists.com.

What are the Stages of Periodontal Disease?

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Periodontal disease is a progressive disease of the teeth and gums that can lead to infected and receding gums, destruction of the periodontal tissues (the periodontal ligament that holds the tooth in its socket, and the bone to which it is attached), loss of teeth, and even a compromised immune system. Cosmetic dentists can repair the visible damage of periodontal disease, and family dentists can help prevent and treat it, but the first and best line of defense is proper dental hygiene by the patients themselves.

The stages of periodontal disease are Gingivitis, Early Periodontitis, and Advanced Periodontitis.

Gingivitis:

Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease, and the stage with which the average person is most familiar. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums caused by a buildup of plaque at the gum line and base of the teeth that can harbor harmful bacteria. These bacteria produce waste and toxins which irritate and inflame the gums, a symptom of which is bleeding during brushing. This is the easiest stage of periodontal disease to treat and reverse, as no damage to the periodontal tissues has yet occurred.

Early Periodontitis:

When gingivitis goes untreated it can cause buildup of tartar on the teeth at the gum line. This buildup often has an irregular surface of pits, sharp edges, and grooves. It is an ideal surface for even more plaque formation, and can cause pockets to form in the gums at the base of the teeth that can ultimately extend down to the periodontal tissues. Food, bacteria, and additional plaque can become trapped deep in these pockets which then begin to damage bone and ligament tissue. This damage is irreversible, but it can be stopped with proper treatment.

Advanced Periodontitis:

As the periodontal disease progresses, the gum line may recede making the teeth appear longer, the pockets at the base of the teeth may grow larger and deeper, and bone and ligament damage progresses to the point that the teeth loosen and shift in the gums. This can cause an incorrect bite, further infection, and ultimately loss of teeth. Other symptoms may include bad breath and tastes, pain, pus discharge, and discomfort while eating.

Genetics and lifestyle factors can contribute to the severity of periodontal disease. Hormonal changes, illness and some medications may make the gums more sensitive or affect the protective flow of saliva. Clenching the jaw or grinding the teeth can put additional stress on the bones and ligaments of the periodontal tissues. Poor diet and stress may contribute to faulty immune system responses, and diabetes and smoking in particular are key contributors to periodontal disease.

Successful treatment of periodontal disease begins with you. Since plaque buildup is the primary cause of the disease, a proper regimen of brushing and flossing should help prevent the onset of gingivitis. Proper diet, sleep and stress relief, refraining from smoking, and proper treatment and handling of immune system issues in the individual are determining factors in preventive care. Services provided at regular checkups by family dentists such as plaque and tarter removal complete the prevention program. Good dental health is about much more than a great smile!

If you are seeking professional dental advice regarding periodontal disease, it's time to call Shumway Dental Care. Their Chandler dentists will ask you questions, examine you, and determine exactly what needs to be done to get you back to normal. Call today for an appointment. Visit http://shumwaydental.com/.