Here at Cornerstone Dental Health, we work hard to prevent periodontal disease.
Even though it is preventable, periodontal disease is quite common in adults. The disease is caused when you don’t brush and floss like you should, which causes tartar to build up.
Symptoms of periodontal disease include red and swollen gums. They often bleed even with a simple brushing. You may get sensitive teeth, which can make it hard to eat. Some people lose a tooth (or more). People with periodontal disease often have horribly bad breath.
We diagnose periodontal disease during an examination of your teeth. Using a probe, we can find trouble areas, though we may want to do x-rays too.
To get rid of the disease, we will need to perform a good professional cleaning so we can remove the tartar from your teeth and underneath your gums. We may recommend an antibacterial mouthwash. There are also times when you may need an antibiotic in either a gel or pill form. There are times when surgery needs to be done to get rid of the deep pockets of infection.
Once your periodontal disease is under control, good home care with brushing and flossing should help keep it from coming back.
If you are concerned that you may have periodontal disease, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (217) 222-4180. We will get you in for an examination as soon as possible.