Gum Disease

Most adults have some form of gum disease, and many of those who have it don't realize it. Here at Hylan Dental Care, when you come in for a checkup, we don't just check your teeth. We also check for gum disease and oral cancer, because these are also very important.

There are two basic types of gum disease. They are both infections, and if they are left untreated, they can lead to tooth loss. In fact, most adult tooth loss comes from gum disease.

And more than that, recent research shows that gum diseases also affect your heart and actually threaten your life expectancy. So it pays to know if your gums are healthy or not.

Types of Gum Disease

The first type is gingivitis. This is a superficial inflammation of the tissues right around your teeth. It can cause your gums to bleed or to swell. By itself, it doesn't threaten the long-term health of your teeth. But if left untreated, it progresses into more a more serious condition.

Gingivitis leads to periodontitis, which affects not only the soft tissue but the bony support of the tooth. In periodontitis, this bone is slowly destroyed over a period of many years. Eventually, the teeth become loose and just fall out, unless they're removed first.

The insidious thing about gum disease is that there are often no clear-cut symptoms at all. It can progress silently for decades. Often, the first thing a patient will notice is that the teeth have become loose. Unfortunately, the disease is at a very advanced stage when teeth begin to become loose, and it could be that nothing can be done to stop it at that point.

The best defense is good preventive care. This includes flossing, especially, and regular professional cleanings. When you come in to see us at Hylan Dental Care, we will check your gums and the bone support of your teeth. When you have gum disease, we may recommend deep cleaning procedures and more frequent maintenance visits. No one wants to lose their teeth, and we'll work with you to help you keep them all your life!

Gum disease is the cause of most adult tooth loss.

If you believe you have gum disease, we'd be happy to see you. Please give us a call at 1- or visit our make an appointment page.