Nearly Half of Americans have Periodontitis. Do You?

Periodontal disease affects 47.2% of Americans according to a 2011 report by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). That percentage also includes 70.1% of Americans aged 65 and older.

That means that almost half of all Americans will experience gum disease in their lifetime. And that 7 out of 10 seniors will experience it.

That is a very high number, but it also includes all form of periodontal disease, from mild to severe.

Most people don’t focus too much on mild cases of periodontal disease in Houston as the symptoms are rarely debilitating and they can often subside with a little extra home care.

However, periodontal disease is a serious threat to people’s health. If left unchecked, it can lead to serious infections, abscesses, tooth loss, and bone infection.

Periodontal Disease Treatment in Houston

Houston periodontists pinpoint periodontal disease through a listing of symptoms described by the patient and a visual examination of the teeth and gums.

Periodontal disease is characterized by:

●     Tender, painful gums

●     Swollen gums

●     Gums that are discolored, usually purple or bright red

●     Loose teeth, or space developing between teeth

●     Pus around the gum line

●     Perpetual bad breath or a bad taste

These are the primary symptoms of gum disease, but it’s important to know that gum disease doesn’t always exhibit symptoms, especially in the early stages.

To treat periodontal disease in Houston, dentists will perform scaling and root planing.

X-rays are taken to determine the extent of the infection under the gums.

Scaling scrapes bacteria off of the teeth. The bacteria has gotten deeply rooted below the gumline and caused the infection to flare up. By scraping it out, your body is able to fight the infection.

Root planing smooths out the roots of your teeth. Any grooves or rough surfaces are prime areas for bacteria to cling to, just out of reach from conventional cleaning methods.

Once the bacteria has been cleared out and the surfaces are smoothed out, the periodontal disease should clear up on its own. Your Tanglewood area dentist may prescribe an antibiotic to fight off any residual bacteria that may be present.

Risks Associated with Periodontal Disease in Houston

There are certain risk factors that increase the chances of developing periodontal disease.

●     Gingivitis
This early form of gum disease can advance to full blown periodontal disease if it is not cleared up in the early stages.

●     Smoking
The chemical found in cigarettes weaken and damage the gingiva (gum tissue), causing it to recede. This allows bacteria easier access to the roots of teeth.

●     Diabetes
Certain medical conditions like diabetes increase the likelihood of developing periodontal disease.

●     Nutrition and Oral Hygiene
Certain foods, especially when mixed with poor oral care, can lead to periodontal disease. Avoid high sugar and acidic foods and drinks to reduce the chance of getting gum disease.

●     Poor Fitting Dental Implants
From crowns to bridges, poorly constructed and ill fitting dental implants make havens for bacteria to collect. They can protect the gum line, allowing the bacteria to hide from normal care.

Preventing Periodontal Disease

Taking care of your teeth at home is essential to preventing periodontal disease. But, so too is a visit to the dentist.

See your Memorial / Galleria dentist every six months for a visual exam and cleaning to check for and prevent gum disease. Every 12 months, you should also have x-rays taken to ensure nothing is happening out of sight.