Periodontal Health in Middletown, NJ

In the same manner the concrete foundation supports your house, your gums are the foundation for your teeth. So, if your house is at risk when its foundation is in disrepair, so also are your teeth endangered by unhealthy gums. Gum disease, also called periodontal disease is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. According to the American Dental Association, nearly half of adults over 30 in Middletown, NJ have gum disease in some form. Additionally, it has been linked with other health concerns such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and high blood pressure.

Avoiding periodontal disease is among the major reasons to take care of your oral health. For this reason, Dr. Pradeep Sukumar has partnered with Dr. Robert Conti, who is a periodontal specialist. This allows us to give our patients in the Middletown area, including Holmdel, New Monmouth, Belford, Leonardo, Keyport, and Union Beach, the highest quality periodontal care possible.

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Gum disease is defined as an infection of your teeth’ surrounding and supporting tissues. The major cause is excess plaque, which is a constantly forming film of bacteria that builds up on your teeth and may extend below the gum line.

Several factors contribute to gum disease, among them, being:

• Poor brushing and flossing habits
• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Diabetes
• Medications like steroids, cancer treatment drugs, and other medications that block the absorption of calcium

Periodontal disease is tricky to detect on your own because it typically progresses slowly, causing very little pain in its early stages. However, if left untreated, gum disease will destroy your soft tissue and bone, impacting or even eliminating the support for your teeth.

Gingivitis: Early-Stage Gum Disease

The first phase of periodontal disease is called Gingivitis. Some signs of gingivitis include:

• Gums that appear irritated, red, and swollen
• Bleeding gums when you brush and floss
• Chronic bad breath that you can’t get rid of
• Looseness or separation in permanent teeth

If you notice these symptoms, the sooner you give Middletown Dental a call, the better. Gingivitis can be reversed by regular checkups and cleanings. After your dentist gives you a thorough cleaning, improvements in your home care routine will help keep it at bay. But continuing regular visits to your dentist are the best way to maintain your first line of defense against gingivitis.

Advanced Gum Disease Is Called Periodontitis

Periodontitis is the progressive stage of gum disease. If you suffer from periodontitis, you may notice that your gums are starting to recede, and your teeth may begin to feel mobile. Dr. Conti can help our patients suffering from periodontitis with:

• Scaling and root planing – a deep cleaning that reaches below the gum line to remove plaque and tartar buildup
• Antibiotic therapy – to help fight the infection
• Surgery – for severe cases of periodontitis

Treating Your Gums Saves Your Teeth

Our goal is to help you avoid issues like Gingivitis and Periodontitis through six-month dental checkups. However, if you should find yourself dealing with issues that indicate gum disease, no matter how minor, our team at Middletown Dental is well equipped to help you.

Your periodontal health is too important to ignore! Give us a call today to schedule your next appointment.