Protect your health and smile from gum disease with routine, preventative care.
Gum disease affects almost one out of every two adults aged 30 and older in the U.S. At Piedra Dental Group, we know it does not have to be this way. Our team in Cooper City, Florida, is led by Drs. Alejandro Piedra and Robert Weishoff. Dr. Weishoff is also a periodontist, a specialist in diagnosing, treating, and managing gum disease. In partnership with our knowledgeable team, gum disease can be prevented, and its effects may even be reversed when detected and treated promptly before the disease progresses and causes irreversible damage.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is a progressive breakdown of the tissues that surround, support, and “frame” your teeth. It starts as early-stage gingivitis and, without treatment, progresses to its advanced and more serious form, periodontitis. Along with tooth decay, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss.
What causes gum disease?
The No. 1 risk factor for gum disease is inconsistent or inadequate oral care. When food is not removed with brushing and flossing, it provides the perfect breeding ground for destructive plaque. Bacteria in the mouth feed off of lingering food particles to form plaque. As plaque builds up, it erodes the teeth and also triggers a process that results in the breakdown of the attachments between the teeth and gums. Other risk factors that contribute to gum disease include poor nutrition, smoking, and use of products that contain nicotine, untreated bruxism or teeth grinding, and poorly-managed diabetes.
What are the signs of gum disease?
Signs vary by the extent or stage of the disease. Symptoms of gingivitis include:
- No symptoms – Many oral conditions are asymptomatic early on
- Gums that look redder than usual
- Puffy or swollen gums
- Gums that hurt when you touch them
- Gums that bleed when you brush and floss
- Sensitivity to temperature changes, such as heat and cold
- Persistently bad breath
Symptoms of periodontitis include:
- Receding gums
- Highly mobile or loose teeth
- A foul or unpleasant taste in your mouth
- Changes in the position of your teeth and “bite”
- Pain when chewing
How do you treat gum disease?
Treatment starts by examining your gums. During regular checkups, we use special dental instruments to measure the space between the teeth and gums. Healthy gums have a pocket depth between one and three millimeters. Deeper “periodontal pockets” are indicative of gum disease. The deeper the pocket, the more severe the gum disease. Our Board-certified periodontist, Dr. Weishoff, also uses his advanced expertise and onsite technologies to accurately detect and “stage” the disease. The effects of gingivitis may be reversed with standard professional cleanings and oral care products, changes to brushing and flossing techniques, and the repair or replacement of worn or poorly fitting restorations. For more advanced forms of the disease, a deeper cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing) may be advised. We may need to both destroy bacteria and regenerate lost tissues if the disease has caused irreversible damage.
Now, we ask you. Has it been longer than six months since you visited the dentist? If so, schedule your checkup at Piedra Dental Group today. Call our team in Cooper City, FL at (954) 329-0673. We can protect the health and beauty of your gumline with routine and preventative care.
