“Gum” disease is making the headlines more and more these days. You hear about it on the news and read about it in magazines. Dr. Lee and the caring team at Avalon Family Dentistry are very passionate about educating patients about periodontal disease, and partnering with them in controlling it through periodontics for Federal Way clients!
There are really two types of gum disease:
- Gingivitis: a mild, reversible form of periodontal disease that affects only the gums.
- Periodontitis: an infectious disease of the tissues that support the teeth.
Contributing factors to gingivitis and periodontitis:
- Inadequate/Absent dental care
- Genetics
- Tobacco smoking/Chewing
- Systemic diseases like diabetes
- Medications used to treat other ailments
- Pregnancy
Warning signs of periodontal disease:
- Gums that bleed easily
- Persistent bad breathe
- Red swollen gums
- Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
- Permanent teeth that have become loose
What you MUST know about periodontal disease:
- It can be controlled.
- It should be controlled because it has been linked to heart disease, diabetes and in pregnant women, a higher risk of low birth weight babies.
- All the systems of the body are connected. If one is diseased, the rest of the body suffers.
What to expect during non-surgical treatment of periodontal disease:
- Two to four appointments of “deep cleaning”.
- Complete comfort since you will be completely numb.
- Thorough cleaning of each and every periodontal pocket.
- Removal of all hard and soft deposits, above and below the gum line.
- Following initial therapy, returning every three to four months for maintenance.
- The necessary tools and instructions for you to maintain a healthy environment at home.
- Monitoring and enlisting the help of a periodontist if needed.
- Our commitment to providing you only the highest quality of care in Federal Way periodontics!
