What is periodontal disease (gum disease) and how can it be treated?
Periodontal disease is a slow, relatively painless process in which the supporting structures (gum and bone) surrounding the tooth is diminished leading to eventual tooth loss. Periodontal disease is a multi-factorial disease, meaning there are many causes. The most common cause of periodontal disease is inadequate plaque removal. Other factors such as smoking, chewing, diabetes and stress can aggravate and accelerate the bone loss. Your dentist and hygienist can diagnose the disease with dental radiographs and gum measurements. If you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease your dentist will make a recommendation based on severity. For incipient (early) periodontal disease, treatment can be accomplished in the office through scaling and root planning (deep cleanings). If the disease has progressed significantly, your dentist will refer you to a specialist in LaCrosse, Rochester, Decorah or Waterloo/Cedar Falls.
