Dentistry
in Buffalo, Amherst, Lancaster and Orchard Park, NY
Periodontal Disease/Gingivitis
At Forestream Dental Group, conveniently located in the Buffalo, New York area, we can educate you and your family on the best ways to avoid gum disease.
Early gum disease is known as gingivitis. The later and more severe stage is called periodontitis. Gum disease starts with poor brushing and flossing techniques that allow plaque and bacteria to build up in your mouth, teeth and gums. This can cause bleeding and swelling of the gums, and in severe cases, tooth loss. The good news is that, for most people, gum disease is preventable.
Signs of Gingivitis
As part of your regular check-ups with Dr. Evola, he will perform an oral exam and look for the signs of gingivitis, which is the earliest stage of periodontal disease. A few of those signs include:
- Red and/or swollen gums
- Gums that bleed during brushing
- Bad breath or bad taste in your mouth
- Receding gums
When you have x-rays taken, he can also examine them to see if there is any apparent bone loss, which would indicate periodontitis.
The Role of Bacteria
It all starts with bacteria. There's no way a human being can rid the mouth of all bacteria. They live there and we have to manage them rather than eliminate them. That's why daily brushing and flossing are always emphasized so much.
When you neglect your dental hygiene, the bacteria multiply. They feed on the microscopic bits of food you leave in your mouth, reproduce, spread, continue feeding, and things go splendidly for them, but downhill for you. Bacteria have digestive systems just as we do, so as they feed, they also excrete. Their excretions are acidic and toxic to us.
The acidity eats into your tooth enamel, causing cavities. Toothache happens when the enamel is destroyed all the way through to the interior of the tooth, where its nerve is.
The bacterial excretions are what we call plaque, a sticky film that can be brushed off. If we leave it there too long, it hardens and becomes tartar, (also called calculus), which we cannot brush off. Tartar is removed by dental hygienists when they do your professional cleaning every six months.
Periodontitis
If we skip those appointments, the bacteria continue to flourish, tartar builds up, creating more nooks and crannies for bacteria to breed in, tooth tissue is lost, then gum tissue, infection sets in, and bone tissue is eventually affected. This is advanced gum disease, or periodontitis. Even the rest of your body can be hurt by the infection.
Other Factors in Gum Disease
Besides the central role of bacteria, there are other factors which make the situation worse, or speed it along:
- Tobacco use
- Hormonal changes
- Stress
- Certain medications
- Poor diet
- Illness
These are things that weaken the body's ability to fight infection, or lower its energy level and general healing ability, giving further advantage to the bacteria.
Prevention is the best strategy
With gingivitis, the gums can look and feel irritated but the surrounding teeth are still secure and not loose, and no bone damage has yet occurred. Being the early stage of gum disease, gingivitis can be successfully treated and reversed by improving your oral hygiene habits. By not improving them, you'll be allowing gingivitis to become periodontitis, giving you more pain, distress, expense, and danger to your overall health.
In addition to good brushing and flossing techniques, Dr. Evola may suggest certain brands of toothpaste or mouthwash that have antimicrobial agents.
If you suspect that you have gingivitis or even a more advanced stage of gum disease, it's important that you call Forestream Dental Group right away to schedule an appointment with Dr. Evola. Dr. Evola has helped many distressed people in Buffalo, N.Y. to overcome and reverse gum disease. Don't delay treatment for another day - Call or email us today!
Creating Smiles and Changing Lives. Every Day.
4711 Transit Road, Forestream Village
Depew, NY 14043
E-mail Us • (716)656-8686
