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More About Cleanings and Checkups
Periodontal Disease Treatment
Periodontal disease is a serious infection of the gums and other tissues
surrounding the teeth. Millions of Americans have periodontal disease.
Left untreated, it can lead to tooth and bone loss. The welcome news
is that periodontal treatment can make your mouth healthier and help
you keep your teeth.
Additionally, a healthy oral cavity can help prevent systemic diseases.
Heart disease, respiratory infections, and premature babies are to name
a few.
Most of the symptoms of periodontal disease go without notice. The stages
are gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontal.
With regular checkups and proper home care, periodontal disease can
be diagnosed early and treated. Treatments include scaling and root
planning (SRP), enzyme suppression, pocket sterilization w/ laser treatment,
antibacterial therapy, and surgery. For the best results, you may have
several types of treatments.
X-rays
Many diseases of the teeth and surrounding tissues cannot be seen when
your dentist examines your mouth clinically. An X-ray exam may reveal
the presence of small cavities between the teeth, infections in the
bone, abscesses, cysts, developmental abnormalities and some types of
tumors. A failure to diagnose and treat these conditions before obvious
signs and symptoms have developed can threaten your oral and general
health. Finding and treating dental problems at an early stage can save
time, money, and unnecessary discomfort. If you have a hidden tumor,
early diagnostic X-rays may even help save your life.
Sources:
Treating Adult Periodontal Disease brochure © 2001 The Stay Well
Company and CollaGenex Adults Need Fluoride Too! brochure © 1995
Professional Dental Technologies, Inc.
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