PERIODONTICS
Within the practice of dentistry, there are many specialties, areas of study that focus on one area of dental issues. One of those specialties is Periodontics. Periodontics is the term used to identify the issues of prevention and treatment for the gums and tissues in which our teeth reside.
Gum diseases and inflammation can be caused by other diseases that affect the rest of the body. Some of these illnesses and diseases may have a secondary affect, that is to say that they can cause problems in the gums and mouth tissue that are secondary to the harm that disease is known to cause on the rest of the body. It is also possible that medications that are being taken for the body’s health can have an effect on the gums. Periodontics take these health issues into consideration in identifying what is the underlying cause of the gum or tissue disease or inflammation that you are suffering with.
What Affects our Gums?
What Causes Gum Disease?
Smoking significantly increases the risk of gum and tissue diseases. In the practice of Periodontics your dentist will advise you to quit smoking and help you find ways to attain that goal, with a view toward better health for your whole body.
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Gum diseases and inflammation can also be caused by a failure to maintain your mouth’s good health. Failure to brush and floss and to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy can also lead to gum disease. The buildup of plaque that is not properly cleaned from the teeth can lead to bacteria taking hold in the mouth. This bacterium hardens and fixes itself onto the teeth and begins the process of destroying gums and the surrounding tissues. Periodontics takes into consideration your personal hygiene habits. Your dentist will work with you to identify establish healthy hygiene habits with the goal of restoring your healthy gums.
Advanced Gum Disease
At its worst, gum disease can lead to the breakdown of the jawbone itself. The bone can become reabsorbed into the body, leaving no bone to support the teeth. Anyone who has had to deal with any type of gum disease knows that it’s no laughing matter. Diseases and inflammation that affect the gums and tissues in our mouths can lead to discomfort, pain, and even secondary infections that affect the rest of our body. In short, unhealthy gums can lead to an unhealthy body.
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But no matter how the gums became diseased, treating the disease and restoring healthy gums is the goal. In the practice of Periodontics your dentist focuses on your specific gum and tissue needs, assessing the damage that has already occurred and developing a plan with you to repair the damage, replace the areas that can be replaced, and develop a plan for better oral health in the future.