If you’re looking for periodontal disease treatment in Auburn, WA Nuttall Smiles is the preferred choice for top notch care provided by our highly tained dental professionals. Learn more below about how we can address your needs.

Periodontal Disease

Also known as gum disease, periodontal disease is a bacterial infection of the tissues and gums that support teeth. It’s most often caused by tartar and plaque build-up when teeth aren’t regularly flossed and brushed. Keeping your natural teeth healthy for a lifetime is directly related to the proper care and maintanance of your gums. There are two significant stages in periodontal disease, gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis only affects the gums and is a mild form of gum disease; it can be cured if properly treated. But without immediate treatment, it may worsen and turn into periodontitis. This is the more destructive stage of the disease, where bacteria can penetrate the deeper parts of tissue, where the membrane and bone support your teeth. As a result, Periodontitis can lead to unhealthy teeth and various health problems.

Periodontal disease's impact on your health is not just confined to your mouth. Studies have found that periodontal disease carries two to three times the risk for stroke, heart attack, and other serious cardiovascular events. Recent studies have linked the bacteria P.gingivalis, a major cause of gum disease, to the development of Alzheimer's.

Diabetes and periodontal disease play off each other into a negative feedback loop. Diabetes causes poor blood flow to gums and raises blood glucose levels. This increses bacteria in the mouth, which increases risk of periodontal disease. Untreated infections from periodontal disease can raise blood sugar, making it harder to control diabetes. Adressing dental health is a critical componate in the optimal management of diabetes and can help keep your A1C numbers where you want them.

What Are The Risk Factors?

An individual may be at risk for gum disease should they be exposed to the following:

• Systemic diseases such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease;
• Alcohol and tobacco use
• Genetic predisposition
• Pregnancy

Furthermore, taking the following kinds of medications may increase the risk for gum disease:

• Cancer treatment drugs
• Steroids
• Antiepileptic medications
• Oral contraceptives
• Calcium channel blockers

Warning Signs Of Periodontal Disease

Considered a “silent” disease, periodontitis doesn't always present with accompanying warning signs. This is why regular dental visits are vital to monitoring the health of your teeth and gums. Routine visits are important, but it’s critical to see your dentist as soon as possible should you experience any of the following:

• Loose or shifting teeth
• Partial dentures or bridges that don’t fit properly anymore
• A change in how your teeth fit together when you bite
• Fillings that are painful or loose
• Gums that bleed when flossing, brushing, or eating hard food
• An odd taste in your mouth or bad breath
• Receding gums that pull away from your teeth, making them look longer
• Redness, swelling, or tenderness of the gums
• Persistent bad breath
• Sores in the mouth
• Persistent taste of metal in the mouth
• Irritation in the mouth that doesn’t improve in two weeks
• Pus between the teeth and gums

Treating Periodontal Disease

The treatment we provide you will be largely dependent on the amount of deterioration and infection in the teeth, gums, bone, and supporting tissues. Our team will review your digital x-rays and perform a periodontal exam. This will help our periodontist to answer your questions, discuss treatment options and explain any procedures you may require. There are various approaches to treating gum disease. Depending on the extent of treatment needed, you may be able to choose from the following:

Surgical Treatment

Our dentist may perform periodontal surgery to regenerate lost bone or remove any infection, or a combination of both. Here are the most common surgical treatments:

• Bone Regeneration - In this procedure, a local anesthetic is required to prevent discomfort as the gum tissue will be pulled back to expose deeper parts of the mouth. The bacteria causing the disease will be removed, while bone grafts, membranes, or proteins will be added to help the body’s natural regeneration of bones.
• Pocket Reduction - This procedure also uses anesthetics, because the gum tissue is once again folded back to reach into deeper tissues. Any irregular surfaces from the damaged bone might need to be smoothed to expose any hidden bacteria. The bacteria are then removed and the gum tissue is closed and sutured.
• Non-Surgical Treatment - The most popular non-surgical treatment for periodontal disease is root planing or scaling. This procedure involves the careful removal of tartar and plaque from the root of each tooth. Your dentist will proceed to clean each tooth one by one to eliminate irritants and bacteria from deep beneath your gums to stop plaque from building up again.

Is Periodontal Disease Curable?

At Nuttall Smiles, we can help you reverse the effects of gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Routine checkups and cleanings allow our dentists to catch early signs of gingivistis and take proactive measures. However, once the disease progresses into periodontitis, it can only be treated instead of cured.

What Causes Periodontal Disease? As discussed above, there are various reasons for gum disease, which include the following:

• Systemic diseases
• Alcohol and tobacco use
• Pregnancy
• Genetic predispositions
• Cancer therapy drugs
• Steroids
• Anti-epileptic medications
• Oral contraceptives
• Calcium channel blockers

We understand that each patient is different; you can count on us to determine your best course of action. If you suspect that you have gingivitis, or are looking for periodontal disease treatment in Auburn WA, call Nuttall Smiles today at (253) 544-5501.