Periodontal Disease In Athol, Massachusetts & How To Tell If Your Oral Health Is At Risk

Periodontal disease is a disease of the gums, and it often results from infection and inflammation of the gums. The gums become swollen, red, and painful. They can also recede, which allows bacteria to enter the gum line. Incredibly, over 47% of adults aged 30 and up have periodontal disease.

At Athol Family Dentists, our goal is to help you keep your oral health in peak condition, now and in the future, and ensuring that our patients are aware of the symptoms and dangers of periodontal disease is one way we do that. Read on to learn more!

Warning Signs Of Periodontal Disease

Here are some signs of periodontal disease that you shouldn’t ignore:

  • Swollen, red gums
  • Bleeding gums
  • Loose teeth
  • Pain when chewing
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Gum recession
  • Bad breath.

Some people have a higher risk of developing periodontal disease than others and should see their dentist promptly if one or more of the symptoms above present themselves.

Factors that may contribute to having a higher risk:

  • Diabetes
  • Smoking
  • Stress
  • Crooked teeth
  • Genetics
  • Poor oral hygiene
  • Immune-compromising illnesses
  • Dry mouth
  • Certain medications
  • Hormonal changes.

Periodontal disease can affect more than just your gums. If an infection isn’t treated promptly, it can to spread to your jawbone. It can even spread into your bloodstream and infect other parts of your body, such as your kidneys. It’s vital to your short- and long-term health that periodontal disease is treated as soon as possible.

There are procedures your periodontist can perform to help prevent periodontal disease, including LANAP treatment, which is proven to reattach gum tissue and cause new bone growth. Utilizing seven pulse durations, this device targets the source of inflammation without damaging or removing healthy gum tissue while slowing or stopping gum attachment loss and decreasing pocket depth. It also enables the body to recover from chronic infection associated with the periodontal disease without the use of a scalpel or sutures.

If you need to talk to a dentist in Athol about periodontal disease and how to prevent and treat it, call us today!