Periodontal Disease Specialist
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Skyview Dental
Erika Mendez, DDS
Cosmetic & General Dentist located in Irving, TX
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. According to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every two American adults aged 30 and older suffers from periodontal disease. It’s easy to overlook the health of your gums, but doing so can be detrimental to your overall oral hygiene. Thankfully, Erika Mendez, DDS, and the team at Skyview Dental in Irving, Texas, are well-versed in identifying and treating periodontal disease. Call the office or request an appointment online for expert periodontal treatment today.
Periodontal Disease Q&A
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease, or periodontitis, is an infection of the gums that can lead to tooth loss and other severe health problems if left untreated.
Periodontal disease begins with gingivitis, which is an inflammation of the gums caused by a buildup of the bacteria commonly found in plaque. If treated with regular brushing and flossing, gingivitis can be reversed and doesn’t necessarily advance to periodontal disease.
If left untreated, however, gingivitis eventually causes the inner layer of the swollen gums to pull away from the teeth, leading to the formation of pockets between the teeth and gums. These pockets are highly susceptible to infection as they collect debris in the mouth.
As the body’s immune system fights the bacteria, the bacteria from the plaque spread deeper into the gum line. Eventually, toxins from this bacteria, as well as byproducts from the “good” enzymes that are fighting the infection, begin to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold your teeth in place. Once your teeth’s anchors are destroyed, they become susceptible to falling out.
What are the symptoms of periodontal disease?
If you’re experiencing any of the following, you might be suffering from periodontal disease:
- Bleeding gums, especially after or during brushing and flossing
- Receding gums
- Bad breath or a persistent bad taste in your mouth
- Swollen, tender, or red gums
- Loose teeth
- A change in the way your bite fits together
- Pockets between your teeth and gums
Gum disease can be subtle and can frequently develop and progress without any of these signs or symptoms. That’s why it’s important to consistently check in with the team at Skyview Dental.
How is periodontal disease treated?
Dr. Mendez will first determine whether you have periodontal disease by checking the consistency of your gums and the depth of the pockets between your teeth and gums. If you do have periodontitis, there are a number of treatment options available, depending on how advanced your condition is.
A non-surgical solution to early-stage periodontal disease is a professional dental cleaning to remove the bacteria-producing plaque and tartar. The team at Skyview Dental can also perform scaling and root planing, which is a deeper cleaning done under local anesthesia.
More advanced stages of periodontal disease may require bone or soft tissue grafts or bone surgery.
Don’t let periodontal disease ruin your smile. Call or request an appointment online today with the expert team at Skyview Dental.
