Your permanent teeth are the only set you’ll have for life. Hence, it only makes sense to take good care of them. Healthy teeth begin with healthy gums. Gum disease can compromise your gum health and the quality of your teeth. At Cannon Dental, Salt Lake City, Utah, we focus on keeping both your gums and teeth healthy. Early gum disease treatment will protect the integrity of your teeth.
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is an infection of your gums caused by plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth. Over time, bacteria from the tartar spread to your gums, causing redness, inflammation, and bleeding. If left untreated, mild gum disease can escalate into the severe stage of periodontal disease that can cause you to lose teeth.
Types of Gum Disease
There are various types or stages of gum disease that people should become familiar with:
- Gingivitis
- Early Periodontitis (Periodontal Disease)
- Moderate Periodontal Disease
- Advanced Periodontal Disease
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, which is reversible if caught early enough. Diligent dental care and routine cleaning can reduce gingivitis and protect your teeth. If left unchecked, gingivitis will progress to the early periodontitis stage characterized by receding gums and more bleeding. In the moderate and advanced stages, periodontal disease will destroy gum tissue and bone structure, resulting in loose teeth or permanent tooth loss.
Importance of Early Periodontitis Treatment
By detecting and treating periodontal disease in its early stage, you can save your natural teeth. Routine brushing, flossing, and semi-annual cleanings to remove plaque and tartar buildup can prevent problems with gum disease.
If you’re in the early stages of periodontitis, Dr. David Cannon can slow down its progression through scaling and root planing treatments. Scaling removes tartar buildup and pockets of bacteria under the gumline of your teeth to protect the roots. Root planing smooths root surfaces to keep bacteria from causing further damage.
To learn more about our early periodontitis treatment and how it can benefit you, contact Dr. David Cannon from Cannon Dental, Salt Lake City, UT, today at (801) 406-9985.
