Half of Americans over age 30 have periodontal disease

According to the CDC, 47.2% of American adults have mild, moderate, or severe periodontal disease. In adults 65 or older, the rate increases to 70%.

The prevalence of periodontal disease in American adults is compared to that of heart disease or diabetes, as most people might not even know they have it.

Unless you go to the dentist regularly and receive a comprehensive periodontal cleaning and evaluation, you might not feel a difference in your mouth until it’s too late.

Periodontal disease is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and the bone that supports your teeth. It can cause your teeth to loosen or lead to tooth loss. Many people don’t know anything is wrong until they are diagnosed during their regular cleanings.

Our hygienists and dentists take great pride in early detection and treatment of periodontal disease.

We’ll take care of you throughout the entire diagnosis and treatment process so that you can get back on the right track with your dental care.

How do I prevent periodontal disease?

Periodontal Disease is preventable and is treatable.

Like most preventative care, it starts at home.

• You need to be brushing your teeth for two minutes at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
• Be sure to floss daily (even if you don’t want to or you don’t like it).
• Getting regular dental checkups and cleanings at least every six months can significantly improve your chances of successful treatment and can reduce your chance of developing periodontal disease. Some patients may require cleanings more often than every six months to prevent disease progression.

How we treat periodontal disease

If you’re diagnosed with periodontal disease, you can rest easy knowing that your Kennerly Dental team has extensive experience in successfully treating many periodontal patients.

Periodontal treatments depend on the type of gum disease and how severe it is when diagnosed.

The goal of periodontal treatment is to thoroughly clean the pockets around teeth and prevent further damage to the surrounding bone.

Traditional periodontal cleaning involves scaling and root planning and differs from the regular dental cleanings you get every six months. Regular cleanings remove the plaque and calculus from around the teeth and under the gum tissue.

Periodontal treatment removes the “infected” layer on the outside surface of the tooth root and inner lining of the gum tissue pocket. The treatment allows for healthy surfaces of gum tissue to reattach to the tooth root. In some instances, a soft tissue laser may be used to disinfect the gum pockets as well as improve healing.

Some advanced cases of periodontal disease may require other treatments including pocket reduction surgery or bone grafting.

Advanced periodontal disease may require the referral to a periodontist, which is a dentist specializing in the treatment of bone and gum tissue problems.

It is important to note that there is no periodontal disease cure.

Much like diabetes, it can be controlled and monitored with professional help and a patient’s improvement of their oral home care, but it will be a lifelong condition.

That is why it’s important to take care of your teeth before periodontal disease even occurs.

The bottom line is that taking care of your teeth is extremely important and we can help you get back on track and ensure that your smile stays beautiful and pain-free.

At Kennerly Dental, our friendly staff comes to work with a “Patient First” attitude. We recognize that every person deserves individualized dental care specific to their dental needs. The Kennerly Dental team can give you tips for improving your daily oral hygiene during your appointment.

Call us today to schedule a cleaning.