There are stages of periodontal disease that can lead to health problems as well as the loss of teeth. Depending how advanced the periodontal disease is depends on the type of treatment. In the beginning stages the patient can change their oral hygiene habits such as diet, and invest in a product that cleans the teeth and gums. It does not have to prescription nor the most expensive on the market. Expensive does not equate to effectiveness. There is no substitute for proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits.

If plaque buildup is left untreated it can and will develop into a serious condition known as periodontitis. To simplify this is gum disease and can cause infection, tooth loss, pain with the gums and teeth as well put you at risk for more serious health diseases. The best treatment of periodontal disease is prevention. Periodontal disease can be treated, but the best method is to prevent it from developing.

• Halitosis (bad breath)
• Bleeding gums
• Sores on the gums
• Receding gums
• Loose teeth

The bulleted symptoms are all areas of concerns that should never be ignored. If you have these symptoms not only do you need to take immediate action, you should begin practing good oral hygiene daily and take care of your overall health as well. As we stated before if the symptoms are ignored the periodontal disease can become very severe requiring more invasive procedures. Not only are the procedures costly they can be very painful as well. So protect yourself and the family with good oral hygiene, dental visits and a proper diet. This is the first key to protecting the health of your mouth. Otherwise you can look forward to the following.

• Surgery is used in moderate to severe cases of periodontal disease. This consist of many different types of procedures depending on the dentists recommendations. In some cases the laser is used to remove excess tartar buildup or reconstruct the deteriorated bone.
• A soft tissue graft is a procedure where the gum is repositioned in order to eliminate some of the pockets or where the gums have pulled away from the teeth. This is a hiding area for bacteria and can cause more serious problems.
• In less severe cases, the teeth can be cleaned removing the tartar buildup and plaque.