How to fight Bowling Green periodontal disease

What’s the best way to prevent gum disease? At-home brushing and flossing is the first line of defense. But, if periodontal disease has already taken hold, Dr. Derek E. Utz, Bowling Green dentist, can help you win over this serious oral health issue.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is an often ignored oral health problem affecting almost half of American adults over the age of 30, says the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. People simply do not recognize its signs and symptoms, consider them to be normal past a certain age or think it’s no big deal to have some bleeding during tooth-brushing.

However, left untreated, gum disease in its various forms, from mild gingivitis to aggressive periodontitis, exhibits:

• Red, swollen, bleeding gums
• Pus at the gum line
• Deep periodontal pockets between gums and tooth roots (> 3mm)
• Gum recession
• Tooth mobility
• Bone deterioration
• Open spaces between teeth
• Long tooth appearance
• Bad breath
• Tooth loss

In addition, there is much scientific evidence which links Bowling Green periodontal disease and systemic health. People with gum disease often have:

• Type-2 diabetes
• Heart disease
• Strokes
• Hypertension
• Arthritis
• Memory issues
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Liver and kidney problems
• Osteoporosis

Research points to the chronic inflammation associated with gum disease as the causative agent in these serious health issues.

How to fight gum disease in Bowling Green

To keep gums and teeth healthy, Dr. Utz agrees with the recommendations of the American Dental Association:

1. Brush teeth for 2 minutes 2 times daily to remove the bacteria-laden plaque from tooth surfaces, interdental spaces and the gum line. Floss once a day to remove biofilm that brushing misses.
2. See your Bowling Green dentist twice a year for oral exams and hygienic cleanings. Your dental hygienist charts your gum pocket depth with each visit and can review your periodontal record with you. This review helps patients concentrate on areas of concern when performing oral hygiene at home.
3. Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables, and reduce carbs and sugars.
4. Hydrate with 8 glasses of water daily to rinse gums and teeth and increase production of saliva and its beneficial enzymes.
5. Stop smoking as the toxins in cigarettes encourage periodontal infection, bone loss, and bad breath. Plus, studies indicate that the heat from smoke actually burns the soft tissues of the mouth, setting the stage for cancer, gum disease and oral infections.

In addition, for more advanced gum disease, Dr. Utz and his team deep clean teeth and gums and perform a service called root planing. Root planing smoothes the surfaces of roots so that as gums heal, they re-attach more easily. Also, Dr. Utz may instill antibiotics to clear infection.

How are your gums doing?

Don’t guess at the answer. Find out by scheduling a preventive dentistry exam and cleaning with Derek E. Utz DDS. Contact the office today.