You might think that cavities or traumatic injuries are the leading cause of tooth loss. In reality, it’s periodontal disease. Frequently referred to as “gum disease,” periodontal infections affect the integrity of the gum tissues and bone that support your teeth. As they become infected, they detach and pull away, compromising your smile’s integrity. Fortunately with good home care and dental cleanings in Arvada, periodontal infections are preventable. But if you do have chronic gum disease, our dental clinic in Arvada can help.
If you’re wondering whether or not it’s worth it to treat your gum disease, here are some of the most important reasons why you should:
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It Breaks the Cycle of Tooth Loss
Maybe your parents and grandparents lost their teeth at a young age. But you don’t have to. Today, access to preventative care and periodontal therapy makes it possible to keep your smile for the rest of your life. Thanks to early intervention, gum disease treatments, and routine cleanings, we can halt the cycle of periodontal infections before history repeats itself.
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Fresher Breath
Periodontal infections cause serious halitosis that you can’t get rid of. Since the odorous bacteria lurk far below the gumlines, a deep cleaning (periodontal therapy) will remove those areas of buildup that a brush or floss won’t reach. No amount of mouth rinse or breath mints can compare. You need to treat the odor at its source. Once you do, you’ll have significantly fresher breath.
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Better Management of Overall Health Issues
From heart disease and diabetes to infertility and pneumonia, periodontal infections are far-reaching. Numerous research studies show that oral bacteria can spread through the bloodstream and into the lungs, impacting major organs and unborn babies. Unfortunately, treating issues like diabetes or ED may not be enough without also addressing the active infection going on inside your mouth.
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Gum Disease is Manageable
You may be thinking, “I’m just going to lose my teeth anyway, so why bother doing anything now?” Our dental clinic (Arvada) can help curate a care plan that stops your oral infection and prevents it from getting worse. After all, your smile isn’t the only thing that suffers; your heart and immune system deserve a boost too.
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It Preserves a More Youthful Facial Profile
The bone loss caused by periodontal disease will make your face look older than it really is. As the bone ridge in your jaw begins to shorten and teeth possibly fall out, it will also cause your lips and cheeks to appear sunken in. Before you know it, your face may look 10 years older than you really are.
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Your Healthy Teeth Benefit From It
Maybe you’re thinking about having the damaged teeth removed and replaced with something else. But the bone loss caused by gum disease creates a chain reaction that can spread into adjacent teeth, bringing them down with the infected ones. By treating your oral disease, you can halt additional bone loss to preserve your surrounding smile.
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The Infection Will Relapse
One cleaning isn’t enough to stop gum disease and keep your smile healthy for life. Instead, a good hygiene routine and regular periodontal cleanings will help you maintain healthy attachment levels around your teeth. Without professional intervention, periodontitis can relapse back into a chronic state. Depending on your circumstances, you may need a professional cleaning every 3, 4, or 6 months.
Do I Have Gum Disease?
Common symptoms of periodontal disease include:
- Bad breath
- Receding gumlines
- Tartar buildup
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Tooth mobility
- Tooth and gum soreness or sensitivity
- Open spaces between teeth
If you’re behind on preventative cleanings—which are normally scheduled every six months—and notice any of these symptoms, you may have early-stage gum disease. The best thing to do is plan an exam so that our Arvada dentists can screen for bone loss and tissue detachment as early as possible. The earlier your infection is treated, the better the outcome is for your smile.
Arvada Dentist Near Me
Arvada Dental Center offers comprehensive periodontal treatment strategies to help you preserve your smile and overall health. If you’re looking for an “Arvada dentist near me” or think you have a periodontal infection, contact us today.