Gum Disease and Treatment
Periodontal Care At Your West Broward County Dentist
Also serving Coral Springs, Tamarac, Coconut Creek, Parkland and Pompano Beach
According to the Center for Disease Control, 50% of American adults have a mild, moderate, or severe form of gum disease. If your gums are ever sensitive, swollen, or tender, you may benefit from a preliminary visit to West Broward Dental Associates.
We welcome all patients into our state-of-the-art facility, where part of protecting the health and well-being of our patients means continuously surpassing all CDC and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards. Whether you are a new patient or have been with us for years, our goal is to help you feel healthy and happy, no matter what your dental needs may be.
What is Gum Disease?
Periodontal disease (gum disease) is a chronic inflammation of the gums and tissues around your teeth that is caused by bacteria trapped below the surface of the gums. This condition often goes unnoticed and untreated because its symptoms are so common.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
In the initial stage, gum disease is known as gingivitis. This phase includes gum sensitivity, some ‘pink in the sink’ after brushing, or bad breath that doesn’t seem to get better.
By keeping up with regular cleanings and maintaining a good dental hygiene routine at home, patients have a high success rate of reducing and eliminating buildup of tartar, plaque and bacteria. If left untreated, these symptoms could lead to a more severe form of gum disease.
Professional Care for Periodontitis
It is easy to dismiss swollen, sensitive gums as nothing serious. Unfortunately, gingivitis can progress into periodontitis if proper action isn’t taken. Periodontitis attacks the tissue of the mouth as well as the surrounding bone, and can lead to the loss of teeth over time.
A preventive routine and regular dental checkups ensure that your dentist will be able to detect any changes in your oral health and immediately take action. At West Broward Dental Associates, we make sure that small dental issues don’t develop into bigger, more expensive ones.
Systemic Health Conditions
Gum disease does not just affect oral health, it affects the immune system of the entire body. Along with tooth loss, research now links gum disease with heart disease, respiratory disease, diabetes, and an increase in the likelihood of stroke. For women who are pregnant, it can affect a baby’s birth weight.
Gentle and Effective Periodontal Care
We offer a number of restorative dental treatments to repair your oral health. Scaling and planing, for instance, is an effective and successful method to remove tartar from the tooth’s surface and below the gumline to encourage healing and restoration.
Arestin®: Fighting Infection Where it Starts
Antibiotics can help reduce the prevalence and severity of periodontal disease. ARESTIN® (minocycline hydrochloride) is an antibiotic medicine that is used to fight infections at the root of the problem. It comes in powdered form and is placed within areas of periodontal infection after a scaling and root planing (SRP) procedure.
If you’ve been noticing symptoms of gum disease, visit us at 7608 Margate Blvd for a consultation and a treatment plan that works for you.