Periodontal Disease

Gum disease is technically known as periodontitis – an infection that commonly affects the bone supporting your teeth and damages the soft tissue. Without prompt treatment for the alveolar bone, the bone slowly erodes away from the teeth.

Periodontitis occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria stick to the tooth surface – as soon as the immune system reacts and toxins are released – and cause severe inflammation around the area and also in the pockets surrounding your teeth. The bacterial plaque is a sticky substance that develops on the surface of your teeth and can harden to form calculus if not removed. Untreated gum infection leads to teeth loss and a high risk of stroke and other health problems. In case you have been facing issues with your gums for a while, our doctors at Dr. Behnaz Yalda, DMD have got you covered. We will develop the best-suited treatment plan as well as a dental hygiene routine for you to get rid of tooth bacteria.

The Symptoms

The sign of a healthy set of gums is a pale pink color and being soft around the teeth. But when they are infected, their appearance can change. Some symptoms of gum inflammation include swollen gums or gums that feel tender when touched. Sometimes pus is also felt between teeth, and you spit out blood while brushing or flossing. The chewing process becomes immensely painful as soon as your teeth change shape and their places misalign. Hence, whenever you bite, the mouth experiences a sharp pang.

What Are The Causes?

It all starts when the sticky film of plaque gets stuck to the tooth surface and eventually advances the periodontitis. Brushing and flossing your teeth does remove some bits of plaque, but it also reforms quickly. The second stage involves the plaque-forming into tartar and staying on the tooth. The longer the tartar remains on your teeth, the more damage it causes. With periodontitis, you ultimately lose one or more teeth, and the on-going inflammation can put a lot of pressure on your immune system, weakening it as a result.

Plaque can also cause gingivitis, which, compared to periodontitis, is a milder form of gum disease. Gingivitis is the feeling of irritation around the base of your teeth. Our doctors can reverse soft inflammations with our professional dental services and good oral care.

Preventing Gum Inflammation

One of the best and more straightforward ways of preventing periodontitis is to follow a good oral hygiene program, one that you can follow persistently throughout your life.

Good oral hygiene means brushing your teeth twice and day and flossing them at least once. Flossing before you brush helps loosen the particles and makes brushing even more beneficial. A healthy dental routine breaks through the environment around your gums and teeth, eliminating ant bacteria build-up around the teeth and gums.

Regular visits to our office Dr. Behnaz Yalda, DMD for cleanings every 6 – 12 months will ensure a healthier oral environment for your gums and teeth. If you have risk factors that might increase the chances of periodontitis, such as dryness in the mouth, you might want to call our number (240) 831-6001 to book a cleaning consultation today.