Saving smiles with treatment for gum disease in Fort Worth
The CDC reports that one out of every two American adults aged 30 and older has periodontal disease. It is the leading cause of tooth loss, and has other health implications. Yet the condition can be prevented and managed effectively. Patients throughout the Fort Worth area trust Dr. Vidya Suri and her hygiene team at Sycamore Dental for gentle gum disease management.
Understanding gum disease
Oral bacteria feast on bits of food debris and produce acidic excretions that irritate soft tissues. Bacteria thrive in a sticky film of plaque. Without proper hygiene, it hardens into calculus or tartar at the gum line, causing further irritation. Gums lose their tight seal to teeth, forming pockets that allow bacteria to invade deeper. Tissues become inflamed and infected. Eventually, ligaments and bone that hold teeth in place are affected. Teeth become loose and fall out or must be extracted.The same bacteria are linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and other grave systemic illnesses.
Treating and beating gum disease
Gum disease is largely preventable with good home care and regular hygiene visits to Sycamore Dental. However, heredity, hormonal changes, lifestyle habits, illness, and medications also play a role. The key to managing gum disease is to seek treatment at the first signs of gingivitis – puffy or bleeding gums – when the condition can be reversed. At the stage of periodontitis, the goal is to halt further progress and maintain the healthiest oral condition possible.Dr. Suri and her team accomplish this with:
- Thorough regular cleanings, possibly four times each year.
- Scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning below the gum line to smooth tooth roots.
- Topical antibiotics.
- Advice on improved home hygiene and use of prescription mouth rinse.
