Do you still have bad breath after you brush your teeth? Does it seem like your gums easily bleed? Do your teeth feel loose? These are only a few of the questions your dentist at Dental Associates of Delaware may ask you during your comprehensive dental examination to check your periodontal, which literally means “around the tooth,” health.
It is very important for us to check areas surrounding your teeth to prevent any bacterial infections of the mouth from wreaking havoc on other body organs and systems, including the heart and lungs. When bacteria infect your gum tissue, periodontal disease can set in. In fact, in 1998 a public education effort launched by the American Academy of Periodontology aimed to create awareness about this issue. Since then, we’ve made it our mission to educate our patients about their periodontal health.
Our Brandywine dentists, Middletown dentists, Hockessin dentists, Wilmington dentist, Millsboro dentist, and Ocean View dentist are committed to providing each one of our patients with both specialized care and continued, preventative education for periodontal disease. Read on to learn more about its causes, its symptoms, our treatment method and preventative tips.
What Exactly Causes Periodontal Disease?
The main culprit of periodontal disease is plaque – the sticky, colorless film that is constantly forming over your teeth. Bacteria feed on plaque and produce toxic byproducts that erode your gums. The following factors accelerate this:
- Smoking and tobacco use – including chewing tobacco and snuff
- Genetics
- Pregnancy and puberty
- Stress
- Certain medications
- Clenching your jaw or grinding you teeth
- Diabetes
- Poor, unbalanced nutrition
- Other systematic diseases
What Are Telling Signs Of Periodontal Disease?
Symptoms affect each individual differently. If you notice any of the following symptoms, whether developing slowly over time or appearing rapidly, contact your family dentists our offices in Brandywine, Hockessin, Middletown, Wilmington, Millsboro, and Ocean View, DE immediately.
- Gums that bleed easily
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Gums that are pulling away from your teeth
- Persistent bad breath, even after brushing
- Puss forming between teeth and on the gums
- Loose or separating teeth
- A change in the fit of your partial dentures
- A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
How We Treat Periodontal Disease & Help You Prevent It The good news about periodontal disease is that if treated early, it is manageable and can be cured, often by non-invasive, non-surgical ways. It is our duty as general dentists, under mandate of the American Dental Association, to treat or refer all stages of recognized periodontal disease. Here is what to expect in terms of our examination, identification, prevention and treatment of periodontal disease:
- We will diagnose you with this condition on your first visit if it is present or showing signs during our periodontal evaluation, which includes many variables that may influence treatment, such as etiology, systemic health, heredity, nutritional analysis and home-care modification.
- We always aim for non-surgical approaches to treatment, which heavily rely on home care and commitment by the patient to following our recommendations.
- We will aim to eliminate or control the infection in a gradual healing process that will consist of multiple therapeutic appointments.
- We always encourage preventative measures, which are basic and include brushing your teeth after every meal, flossing between your teeth daily, rinsing with mouthwash regularly and keeping up with regular dental exams.
Visit Our Dentists in Brandywine, Hockessin, Middletown, Wilmington, Millsboro, & Ocean View For An Evaluation
With experienced dentists at our Brandywine, DE office location, hard-working dental specialists at our Middletown, DE office location, talented dentists in Hockessin office location, experienced dentists at our Wilmington, DE office location, experienced dentist at our Millsboro, DE office location, and experienced dentist at our Ocean View, DE office location, Dental Associates of Delaware is committed to helping you achieve the healthy, beautiful Delaware smile you want and deserve. If you feel you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, or haven’t visited your family dentist in a while, contact us immediately to schedule an appointment. We look forward to seeing you!