Periodontal Disease
Making sure that your gums are healthy is so important. Dr. Tenny Leung and Dr. Norman Lui want to make sure that you understand this very important point, as your gums are the foundation of a healthy, beautiful smile.
Periodontal disease is a silent and painless disease until the advanced stages. As an infection, it destroys the attachment of the gum and the bone, which supports and holds your teeth in place. Your body must fight a constant infection, which wears down the immune system. Early detection of periodontal disease enables our team of dental professionals to treat the periodontal disease with less radical treatment methods and create healthier gums with reduced general health risks.
Slow, but progressive, periodontal disease swells the Gingiva and destroys the bone that supports your teeth. Once the bone is lost, it does not regenerate. It may be generalized affecting all of your teeth or localized, affecting one tooth. This disease affects both men and women of all ethnicities from teen years through adulthood. In its early stages, you’ll be unaware of its presence. Dental hygiene habits, medications, smoking, alcohol, diet, general health or heredity may play a role in its progression. Initial symptoms of the disease may include swollen gums that bleed when you brush and an odor to your breath. Symptoms can advance to loosening and shifting of teeth and their eventual loss.
Research has shown that people with periodontal disease are twice as likely to develop heart disease, which may lead to heart attack. The gum inflammation characteristic of periodontal disease creates a path for bacteria in plaque to enter your bloodstream. This bacteria travels throughout your body a may be a factor in numerous conditions. The consequences of bacteria lodging in your heart can be quite serious or even fatal.
One of the easiest ways to prevent the decline of your oral health is to maintain a regular schedule of having your teeth cleaned by one of the Dixie Dental Centre hygienists. At Dixie Dental Centre, we know how important thorough cleanings and dental hygiene are, both during and in between dental visits. Dr. Tenny Leung and Dr. Norman Lui offer adult, child and periodontal maintenance cleanings to ensure healthier teeth and gums. Our hygienists are very experienced at treating patients of all ages and our goal is to provide a comfortable, friendly, and welcoming environment.
A professional cleaning will minimize the accumulation of plaque and calculus on your teeth. Your hygienist will also provide you with instruction on personalized home care. By working together, we can prevent the advance of gum disease and ensure healthy teeth and a healthy smile in the years ahead. Our team utilizes their experience along with the most advanced technologies to diagnose any underlying conditions that may need to be treated. After a cleaning with our hygienist, Dr. Tenny Leung and Dr. Norman Lui will personally examine your teeth, x-rays and intraoral photographs and explain any further treatment needed.
Dr. Tenny Leung and Dr. Norman Lui take great pride in helping all of our patients to have the healthiest most beautiful smile possible. If you have any questions about periodontal disease, please feel free to speak with one of our Dixie Dental Centre team members today.