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We all want to adopt best oral hygiene practices, which include regular brushing and flossing while making the time to have an oral check-up every 6 months and one of the issues that people commonly face is periodontal disease.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
The term ‘periodontal disease’ refers to ongoing gum infection and there are four main stages of this form of gum disease.
The four stages of periodontal disease are as follows:
1. Gingivitis –
This is the only stage of periodontal disease that can be reversed and while it is a painless stage, a check-up will reveal the issue and the dentist can recommend suitable treatment.
2. Slight Periodontal Disease –
While the second stage is not reversible, it is manageable and the dentist would scale the teeth, removing the plaque that is feeding the infection. Symptoms include pain in the affected gum area and swelling of the gums and this is the last stage before bone loss occurs.
3. Moderate Periodontal Disease –
This is the stage when the infection can enter your bloodstream, yet even at this late stage, the dentist can carry out effective treatment. Professional deep cleaning would be used to remove all of the plaque and tartar and the dentist would want to see you in a couple of months while following their list of post-treatment instructions. If you haven’t had an oral check-up for a while, North Shore dentists Sailors Bay Dentistry offer a wide range of dental treatments and they are always happy to welcome a new patient.
4. Advanced Periodontal Disease –
This is the final stage and is when you would experience bone loss, while the gums would become very painful and swollen. The bacteria evolve into something far more damaging and immediate treatment is advised; search online for a local dentist and book an emergency appointment.
Antibiotic Therapy
This is one of the treatments that might be used to treat periodontal disease, so don’t be surprised when the dentist puts you into a 2-week course of antibiotics. When taking antibiotics, it is crucial that we take the entire course of tablets, even if we feel that we no longer require medication. Some of the healing happens in the background and your immune system might need the help of antibiotics.
Laser Disinfectant
This is another innovative treatment that is usually combined with a deep clean, carried out by the oral hygienist. The dentist would explain the ins and outs of the disease and the best way to treat it and if he or she thought laser disinfectant was the right treatment, they would recommend this.
If you adopt a good oral hygiene regime, the risk of gum disease is reduced, and should you ever have gum inflammation or toothache, make an appointment to see your local dentist as soon as possible. If left unaddressed, gum disease can cause serious infection and with regular check-ups, your dentist would recognize symptoms and can treat accordingly.
