Treatment for Periodontal Disease

Dealing with toothaches or other signs of poor dental health isn’t fun -- but it’s important to catch these issues before they become more serious or harder to correct. Periodontal disease is something to watch out for -- but how do you recognize the signs and get treatments for it? Trusted Scottsdale prosthodontist Dr. Michael Bleeker explains below the causes, symptoms and treatments for periodontal disease.

Periodontal Disease Causes

Periodontal disease attacks the gums and the bone that support the teeth. Plaque, a sticky film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva, turns into calculus (tartar) if it’s not removed. It then begins to destroy the gums and bone, and periodontal disease is characterized by red, swollen and bleeding gums.

The most shocking part about gum disease? Four out of five people have periodontal disease and don’t even know it, since it’s usually painless in the preliminary stages.

Not only is it the #1 reason for tooth loss -- research shows there may be a link between the inflammation and bacteria from periodontal disease and other health issues such as stroke, bacterial pneumonia, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and increased risk during pregnancy. Smoking also increases the risk of gum disease.

Good oral hygiene, a balanced diet, and regular dental visits to can help reduce your risk of developing periodontal disease. And, it’s always important to schedule an appointment with Scottsdale prosthodontist Dr. Bleeker if you’re experiencing any of the following warning signs.

Signs & Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

• Bleeding gums – Gums should never bleed, even when you brush vigorously or floss.

• Loose teeth – Also caused by bone loss or weakened periodontal fibers (fibers that support the tooth to the bone).

• New spacing between teeth – Due to bone loss.

• Persistent bad breath – Caused by bacteria in the mouth.

• Pus around the teeth and gums – Sign of an infection.

• Receding gums – Loss of gum around a tooth.

• Red and puffy gums – Gums should never be red or swollen.

• Tenderness or Discomfort – Plaque, calculus and bacteria irritate the gums and teeth.

Treatments Your Scottsdale Prosthodontist Can Perform For Periodontal Disease

• Scaling and root planing – To preserve the health of your gum tissue, the bacteria and calculus which initially caused the infection need to be removed. The gum pockets are also cleaned and treated with antibiotics to help fight the infection. A prescription mouthwash may also be recommended by your Scottsdale prosthodontist.

• Tissue regeneration – Following bone and gum tissue destruction, your dental professional can induce regrowth through grafting procedures. A membrane may be inserted into the affected areas to help in the regeneration process.

• Pocket elimination surgery – Pocket elimination surgery (also called flap surgery) is a surgical treatment to reduce the pocket size between the teeth and gums. Jawbone surgery is another option, which removes indentations in the bone that allow bacteria to colonize.

• Dental implants – When you lose teeth due to periodontal disease, implanting prosthetic teeth into the jawbone can restore the aesthetics and functionality of your mouth. Tissue regeneration procedures may be required first.

If you identify with any of the above causes and symptoms of periodontal disease, it’s time to seek professional treatment. Dental health is extremely important to your well-being -- and Scottsdale prosthodontist Dr. Bleeker gets patients’ smiles back on track.

Ask Dr. Bleeker today if you have questions or concerns about periodontal disease.