Many people in Greenbelt, Beltsville, Lanham, Riverdale, Hyattsville, Glenn Dale, and all throughout the world suffer from periodontal disease. Greenbelt Dental Associates is skilled at detecting periodontal disease at its earliest stages and addressing the best ways for you to combat this problem.

Periodontal disease will not go away on its own. A thorough cleaning from a dental office and further instructions on how to best restore your mouth to its optimum functionality are required.

What is periodontal disease?

Before periodontal disease occurs, plaque that has not been removed from your teeth turns into a hard substance called tartar. Tartar cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone and needs to be addressed by a dentist.

When that tartar is not properly cleaned away from where your gums meet your teeth, your gums may become infected and start to recede. As your teeth and gums begin to separate, they leave spaces that can become infected.

How do I treat my periodontal disease?

At early stages, you may be instructed to change your oral hygiene routine. If necessary, other measures may be taken to reverse the effects of periodontal disease.

How do I know if I have periodontal disease?

Though you may not notice any warning signs at all, there are a few symptoms that may indicate you have periodontal disease. Such symptoms include:

• Gum Changes

  • Receding: Your teeth may appear to be longer than before, or your gums seem to dip down lower around certain teeth than others.
  • Swollen: Some areas of your gums may seem larger or swollen compared to others.
  • Sensitive or tender: Certain foods or temperatures make certain areas of your mouth feel uncomfortable.
  • Red: Gums that are more red in color than usual.
  • Bleeding: Though you may think you simply brushed too hard or too aggressively picked your teeth, there may be a different reason why your gums are bleeding.

• Bad Breath

  When you have continuous bad breath - also called halitosis - even after brushing, you should speak with a dentist. Bad breath can be a sign of a variety of issues, and periodontal disease is one of them.

• Changes in Teeth

  • Sensitive
  • Loose
  • Appear Longer

If you visit the dentist regularly, periodontal disease can be caught early. A thorough cleaning and inspection of your teeth and mouth are done to determine if there are pockets or recession of gums that are at risk of developing into periodontal disease.

Greenbelt Dental Associates works hand in hand with the leading periodontal professionals in Greenbelt, Beltsville, Lanham, Riverdale, Hyattsville, Glenn Dale, and surrounding areas to save your mouth from periodontal disease.