A Brief Look at Periodontal Care

Periodontal disease is caused by poor oral hygiene and infrequent visits to your dentist in Renton for professional teeth cleaning and dental exams. If you don’t brush and floss regularly or properly, harmful bacteria will begin to accumulate in your mouth. As these bacteria combine with your saliva, plaque and tartar begin to form on your teeth. This can lead to a dangerous infection called periodontal disease, or gum disease.

When periodontal disease is left untreated, the infection will continue to spread throughout your gums and into your jaw. This can cause tooth loss and can increase your risk of stroke, heart disease, and diabetes. The only way to treat or reverse periodontal disease is by visiting a dentist near you for periodontal care.

Your dentist can treat periodontal disease using a method of intense teeth cleaning called dental scaling and root planing. This method removes plaque, tartar, bacteria, and infection from your teeth and gums. Severe cases of periodontal disease may require antibiotics and oral surgery. You will also need to maintain proper dental care at home, and visit your dentist regularly for checkups.