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Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal Disease: Treatment for this Common Disease
Periodontal disease is a common condition that afflicts more than three million Americans every year. But just because it's common doesn't make it less serious. It can actually lead to tooth loss if left untreated. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available to manage it. Chandler dentist Dr. Michael S. Catlett has more than 30 years of experience managing periodontal disease through a variety of dental procedures.

Symptoms
Periodontal disease is typically caused by poor oral hygiene and can present itself in the following ways:
  • Toothache
  • Bright red gums
  • Tender gums
  • Loose teeth
  • Swelling
  • Bleeding
Treatment Options
Periodontal disease can be treated in the following ways:
  • Medical procedures: Your dentist may simply remove the dead or infected tissue to help your gums heal. This is often done through scaling and root planing.
  • Medications: Arestin is a antibiotic treatment that is placed inside the infected pockets to kill bacteria. Penicillin is also commonly used.
  • Surgery: The advanced stages of periodontal disease can cause changes to the structure of the teeth and gums. Enlarged gum pockets create extra spacing between teeth, which can lead to alignment issues. These gum pockets can also create more bacteria. Surgery can reduce these pockets so your mouth can return to a normal, healthy state. Regular, thorough oral hygiene is required to keep the pockets clean so that the disease won't return.
Keep Gums Happy and Healthy
Periodontal disease can be serious, but it is fairly manageable. Chandler dentist Dr. Michael S. Catlett is knowledgeable of a variety of treatments that can help. Learn more by contacting him at (480) 897-7717 or visit www.wecreatesmilesaz.com