21 Mar

Understanding Periodontal Disease in London

You would be surprised to learn that periodontal disease actually affects a lot more people than you would think. Such condition could range from a relatively-simple inflammation of the gum to much more serious problems resulting to the destruction or the teeth and soft tissue. But with the assistance of your London dentist, you might be able to understand and successfully treat any periodontal disease.
Any kind of disease involving your gums should be treated immediately. If not, the likelihood of losing your teeth is increased.
There are basically two common types of periodontal disease:
• Gingivitis – mild inflammation of the gums that result to red, swollen and bleeding gums. This disease can be reversed simply with improved oral hygiene as well as regular visits to your dentist for cleaning.
• Periodontitis – if gingivitis is left untreated, it could lead to this much more serious inflammation. The gums will pull away from the tooth, forming pockets which would also be infected. Ignoring this condition can lead to the destruction of the connective tissue, gums and bones, resulting to loose tooth.
Symptoms of periodontal disease include bad breath, loose teeth and swollen gums. Prevention is certainly better than cure and in this case, you can prevent periodontal disease by:
• Brushing your teeth with toothpaste that contains fluoride
• Flossing daily
• Visiting your dentist regularly
• Eating balanced meals
• Avoiding smoking
If you choose not to treat periodontal disease, you should know that there are studies that link it to other serious health conditions such as increased likelihood of a stroke or heart attack, increased chances of preterm delivery and difficulty in controlling sugar levels in the blood of diabetics. .
Several options are available for treating periodontal disease. Your London dentist will most probably discuss deep cleaning, medications and in extreme cases, even surgery.