Gum Disease is Preventable, to Preserve the Health and Beauty of Your Smile

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Those words have never been more accurate than when we at Hunt Valley Dental talk about gum disease (also known as periodontal disease). A leading cause of tooth loss, this condition can be easily treated with a combination of professional care at our office in Hunt Valley, Maryland, and good and consistent home hygiene.

Understanding Gum Disease

Gum disease arises due to a destructive process. Sticky bacterial plaque is constantly forming on your teeth. The bacteria in dental plaque secrete acids. These acids are responsible for enamel erosion and irritate the gummy tissues surrounding, protecting and stabilizing our teeth. Eventually, this process can break down the gum tissue and the supporting bone in the jaw.

In turn, plaque must be consistently removed with thorough brushing and flossing. Additionally, it is not sufficient to rely on excellent home care alone.

The Importance of Professional Care

Led by Dr. Thomas Rhodes, our team blends kind, non-judgmental service with advanced technologies to support the most comfortable experience at our office. And regular visits to our office are a “must” to maintain the health of your gums and teeth.

The build-up of plaque is called “tartar” or “calculus.” Tartar is stubborn. It cannot be removed with standard toothbrushes. Fortunately, our dental hygienists have the training and the specialized dental instruments to gently and effectively remove tartar from the teeth and gum line.

Dental exams complement these professional cleanings. One of the things our team will do during a routine checkup is to measure the spaces between your teeth and gums. These spaces are called “periodontal pockets.” We can use these measurements to determine both the presence of gum disease and its severity. Knowing this information helps Dr. Rhodes choose the best treatment option for you.

We can also “get ahead” of the disease process using advanced oral DNA testing. A saliva sample can be evaluated to pinpoint the types of bacteria present in your mouth and bacterial counts. Again, this information helps develop proactive interventions to prevent disease and/or promptly halt its progression.

These checkups are typically scheduled once every six months. Patients with risk factors for gum disease will visit us more frequently. Risk factors include:

• Inadequate oral care
• Older age
• Use of tobacco products
• Family history of gum disease
• Poorly-managed negative stress (distress)
• Certain medications, such as heart medicines
• Diabetes, heart disease, and other comorbidities
• Bruxism (teeth grinding)
• Nutritionally deficient diet
• Obesity

Embark on your health journey today. Renew your commitment to good health. Schedule an appointment at Hunt Valley Dental. Call us at (410) 771-6300.