| Periodontal diseases (diseases of the gum, including | | | | another, they now believe that inflammatory gum |
| gingivitis and periodontitis) are serious infections of | | | | disease releases pro-inflammatory chemicals into the |
| one or many teeth that can lead to tooth loss. | | | | bloodstream, triggering a systemic inflammatory |
| Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection | | | | response. In other words, inflammation in one area of |
| affecting the gums and the bones supporting the | | | | the body can cause inflammation in another. |
| teeth. The word periodontal means "around the | | | | Additionally, people with poor oral health that includes |
| tooth." | | | | missing and decayed teeth tend to suffer from poor |
| In the early stages of periodontal disease, your gums | | | | nutrition, because eating a nutritious diet high in fiber, |
| may be red and bleed easily. This is the stage called | | | | fruits and vegetables is more difficult. This too can |
| gingivitis, and is usually due to inadequate oral hygiene. | | | | affect heart health. |
| Paying more attention to brushing and flossing your | | | | How will Dr. Iott treat your gum disease? His goal is |
| teeth, and regular visits to your dentist, can reverse | | | | to remove plaque and make it difficult for plaque to |
| this condition. Dr. Michael Iott's staff is thoroughly | | | | reform. If your gum disease is mild, Dr. Iott may able |
| trained and knowledgeable in the diagnosis and | | | | to begin the healing of your gums with a good |
| treatment of gingivitis. Click here to schedule an | | | | cleaning and instructions for more careful brushing and |
| evaluation and discuss steps you can take to reverse | | | | flossing at home. |
| the symptoms of this insidious disease. | | | | However, once hard layers of tartar have formed, |
| Left untreated, gingivitis advances to periodontitis. As | | | | you'll need Dr. Iott's assistance to remove it with a |
| plaque spreads and grows below your gum line, the | | | | special implement called a 'scaling tool'. Once all the |
| bacteria in plaque irritate the gums, breaking down | | | | tartar has been removed, the hygienist will polish |
| and destroying tissue and bone. As a result, your | | | | your teeth, making it more difficult for bacteria to |
| gums separate from your teeth, forming infected | | | | attach. An antiseptic mouthwash may be |
| spaces between the teeth and gums. As the | | | | recommended by Dr. Iott to control plaque |
| infection progresses, these spaces destroy more | | | | temporarily, but these should not be used for more |
| gum and bone. Although you may have very mild | | | | than one month. |
| symptoms, the sad truth is that your teeth will | | | | If you have developed the deep pockets typical of |
| eventually become loose and require removal. | | | | periodontitis, Dr. Iott will clean these as often as |
| Unfortunately, losing your teeth is not the only | | | | every two months until the infection can be brought |
| eventuality with periodontitis. Studies show a clear | | | | under control. Additionally, root planning may be |
| correlation between gum disease and heart disease, | | | | needed, where the infected base around the root of |
| highlighting the fact that people with gum disease | | | | your tooth is removed. |
| have a 25 percent greater risk of heart disease than | | | | Maintaining good oral hygiene at home and seeing Dr. |
| those with healthy gums. Although scientists have | | | | Iott twice a year for cleanings will help you to avoid |
| just begun to understand how one disease affects | | | | many of these unpleasant oral conditions. |