As your specialists in gum health in McMinniville, OR, Willamette Valley Periodontics is dedicated to the advanced diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease. This common inflammatory condition affects the tissues surrounding your teeth and is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
Fortunately, our skilled team at Willamette Valley Periodontics in McMinnville is skilled in both the treatment and prevention of gum disease. As with all dental conditions, quality prevention is our primary goal. Preventing gum disease is as easy as practicing everyday oral hygiene and attending your regularly scheduled exams and professional cleanings.
While plaque is easy to remove with brushing, it can harden into a substance called tartar. Once this happens, you are at a higher risk of developing gum disease because tartar can inflame your gums. Tartar cannot be removed with regular brushing and flossing and will require removal by our professionals through specialized tools.
What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease
begins when plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, constantly forms on your teeth. If plaque isn't removed daily through brushing and flossing, it hardens into calculus (tartar). Tartar is porous and creates a rough surface that attracts even more bacteria, leading to further plaque accumulation. The bacteria in plaque and tartar produce toxins that irritate the gum tissue, causing inflammation.
The earliest and mildest form of gum disease is gingivitis. You might notice your gums are red, swollen, and bleed easily when you brush or floss. At this stage, gingivitis is usually reversible with professional cleaning and diligent home care.
If gingivitis is left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis. In periodontitis, the inflammation spreads below the gumline, causing the gums to pull away from the teeth and form "pockets." These pockets become deeper and more infected, and the bacteria begin to destroy the bone and ligaments that support your teeth. As the supporting structures are lost, teeth can loosen, shift, and eventually require extraction or fall out on their own.
What is a Periodontist?
A periodontist is a dentist who has completed three additional years of specialized training beyond dental school, focusing specifically on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of periodontal disease, as well as the placement of dental implants. They are experts in the complex relationship between your gums, bone, and teeth. Their extensive training allows them to manage even the most advanced cases of gum disease, perform delicate gum and bone grafting procedures, and provide precise dental implant solutions to restore your smile and oral function. At Willamette Valley Periodontics, our skilled periodontist, Dr. Colin Graser, will work closely with you to ensure comprehensive and coordinated care that helps you achieve your goals.
The Consequences of Untreated Periodontal Disease
Ignoring periodontal disease can lead to serious consequences, impacting not just your oral health but your overall wellness. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults; as bone and supporting tissues are destroyed, teeth can loosen and even fall out. Periodontal disease often causes chronic bad breath due to the infection-causing bacteria, and gum recession can make the teeth appear "long" with exposed, sensitive roots. The appearance of the smile can be compromised by receding gums, shifting teeth, and eventual tooth loss.
Beyond the teeth, periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition with far-reaching impacts on your overall health, often linked to increased risks for heart disease, stroke, complications with diabetes, respiratory diseases, and even adverse pregnancy outcomes, as bacteria and inflammation can enter the bloodstream.
Addressing advanced periodontal disease often requires more complex treatments compared to treating it in its earlier stages. That's why our team at Willamette Valley Periodontics in McMinnville emphasizes quality prevention and fast action at the earliest signs of gum disease and inflammation.
Learn More About Protecting Your Periodontal Health
At Willamette Valley Periodontics, we are dedicated to helping you achieve and maintain your best periodontal health. We take a customized approach designed to restore each patient's bright, healthy smile. To learn more about common periodontal health concerns and how our periodontist can help, don't hesitate to schedule a consultation with our team of specialists.
