How your dentist in Jacksonville, North Carolina can help you fight periodontal disease
Periodontal disease can sneak up on you, and can cause you to lose teeth and your smile. It usually starts out as gum disease, and all you may notice is a small amount of bleeding when you brush. Gum disease can get worse, affecting the ligaments, tendons, and bone that support your teeth. If the supporting structures are compromised, you now have periodontal disease.
Dr. Jose Arauz in Jacksonville, North Carolina offers a full range of periodontal and implant services including effective ways to treat periodontal disease. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and he can help you restore your oral health.
The first signs and symptoms you may notice are caused by gum disease. You need to pay attention if your gums are:
- Red or irritated
- Swollen and puffy
- Blunted, with loss of normal contours
- Painful when you eat, brush, or floss
Fortunately, if you begin a program of excellent oral hygiene and regular dental visits, gum disease is reversible. But you must brush after meals, floss at least once each day, and visit your dentist and dental hygienist for regular dental care and professional dental cleanings. Your dentist and dental hygienist will also help prevent your gum disease from becoming periodontal disease.
Common signs and symptoms of periodontal disease include all of the same issues as gum disease, with a few additional signs and symptoms. If you have periodontal disease, you will notice:
- Your bite feels different
- Your gums are receding, showing more of the roots of your teeth
- Your teeth look longer from root exposure
- Gaps or spaces are developing between your teeth
Unlike gum disease, periodontal disease and its effects cannot be reversed. They can only be managed. Periodontal therapy is the key to managing periodontal disease. If you think you may have gum or periodontal disease, you need to seek out help from an expert, your dentist! Don’t wait for your gum or periodontal disease to get worse. Instead, pick up your phone and call Dr. Jose Arauz in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Call now!