What is Periodontal Disease?

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<h1>Things to know about Periodontal Disease</h1>
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<img alt="Things to know about Periodontal Disease" height="200" src="http://reservedentalgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Depositphotos_3224244_XS-300x199.jpg" width="300" />Examining the etymology of the word “periodontal” reveals a succinct clue to the question: “What is periodontal disease?” The prefix “perio” means “around something,” and the suffix “odontal” pertains to teeth. Since we know the word “disease,” one can surmise that a dentist telling a patient that they have periodontal disease will not be news received happily. Being cognizant of what causes the disease and practicing good oral hygiene can prevent periodontal disease from occurring.

Determining whether one has periodontal disease is best left to a dentist. Though a telltale sign is bleeding gums while brushing or flossing, <a href="http://reservedentalgroup.com/boca-raton-dentist-services/boca-raton-periodontal-treatment"><strong>periodontal disease</strong></a> is not the only thing that can cause bleeding. Medicines such as dilantin, gingivitis (inflammation of the gums, which can be, in fact, an early sign of periodontal disease), or even brushing too hard can create bleeding.

If a dentist determines that periodontal disease is indeed the culprit, they will probably ask if the patient had some early signs such as swollen and/or bleeding gums. They will ask this because if the patient was experiencing these symptoms, there is the strong possibility that the gums are already infected with bacteria. This is an important determination because if it is not immediately treated, the disease can spread to other tissues in the body. The path that periodontal disease follows is a relatively easy one to curtail. Regular visits to the dentist play a huge part in prevention. A dentist will scrap off the accumulation of plague before it travels beneath the gumline, creates a “pocket,” and eventually destroys the alveolar bone that holds in the teeth. This is just a “sound bite” version of what happens, but it puts into perspective how important regular dentist visits really are.

<a href="http://reservedentalgroup.com/boca-raton-dentist-services/boca-raton-periodontal-treatment"><strong>However frightening periodontal disease sounds, there are numerous ways to combat it.</strong></a> There is what is called “deep cleaning,” which entails using a laser to scrap off the plaque. There are also various medications that a patient can ingest. Finally, there is surgery. One such surgery is called “flap surgery” whereby the gums are peeled back so that the surgeon can remove the plaque build up. The other surgery includes bone and tissue grafts. These are all very sophisticated forms of surgery and it is best to get a second opinion on any decision made about treating periodontal disease.


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<p><strong>Do you have Periodontal disease or Gum disease? Dr. Huber and the Reserve Dental Group specialize in Periodontal Treatment. Call now to schedule a Free Consultation with Dr. Huber at 561-852-7773.</strong></p>