It’s Gum Disease Awareness Month! Your Dentist in East Islip Explains

Would you ever consider building a house on a foundation of rocks or sand? Ridiculous, right? The same can be said for your teeth. They rely on support from your gums and jawbone, and if these aren’t healthy, your teeth may not be either. Your dentist in East Islip wants to share more information about gum disease this month so you can understand the risks and how to protect your dental health and your overall health.

What Is Gum Disease?

Essentially an infection of the support system for your teeth, gum disease affects both your gums and your jawbone. If it is left untreated, it will result in tooth loss. In fact, this condition is the leading cause of tooth loss in American adults.

Gum disease has also been linked with other non-dental health concerns such as heart disease, diabetes, complications during pregnancy, and dementia. The bacteria that causes the infection can enter the bloodstream and travel to other areas of the body and vice versa contributing to the inflammation causing these health conditions.

Symptoms to Be Aware of

The problem with gum disease is that there are not many symptoms at first, so it can be challenging to diagnose on your own. This is the reason that many people don’t even realize they have the condition.

Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease, and it can often be identified with gums that are irritated, swollen or bleed when you brush or floss your teeth. When it’s detected early on, gingivitis can often be successfully managed with a thorough professional cleaning and improvements to your home care routine.

Periodontitis is advanced gum disease, and now you may notice that your teeth feel loose, your gums are receding, or you have tenderness or discomfort when chewing. Gum disease treatment in East Islip requires a deep cleaning that eliminates infection and plaque buildup from below the gum line. Your dentist may also recommend antibiotic therapy or surgery for very advanced cases of periodontitis.

Contact Your Dentist Today

Your first line of defense against gum disease is consistent visits with your dentist every six months to remove excess plaque buildup and screen for the condition. The earlier it’s detected, the better your chances are of eliminating gum disease with less invasive procedures. Contact your dentist today to schedule your next appointment.

About the Author

Dr. Gary Rosenfeld has served the community of East Islip, NY for over 30 years. He has gathered a team of dentists who share his strong commitment and passion for providing exceptional dental care. With an excellent and caring team in place, East Islip Dental Care is proud to offer our patients dental services both morning and evening, seven days a week.

To contact Dr. Rosenfeld, you can call our office at 631-581-8600 or reach him through his website.