When is the last time you went to the dentist? Many people fear going to the dentist and put it off as long as they can, but you could be doing major harm to your mouth or even the rest of your body. If you have signs of gum disease, it is important to visit a periodontist as soon as you can.
What You Need to Know About Gum Disease
Periodontal disease affects the gums, teeth and jawbones of nearly 65 million Americans. In the early stages, gum disease causes your gums to swell, have a red appearance or bleed. The longer the disease goes untreated, the more serious the symptoms become. Eventually, your gums will begin to recede, causing your teeth to look longer or making them shift and become loose. As the gums pull away from your teeth and bacteria becomes trapped inside, it can begin to eat at the rest of your jawbone. Eventually, untreated gum disease could lead to heart problems or other health issues. Some of the risk factors for developing gum disease include smoking, lack of oral hygiene, certain medications, a family history of the disease and age.
Treatment Is Not Like It Used to Be
If you are one of the millions of Americans who are afraid of going to the dentist and avoid it for as long as possible, you may be in for a pleasant surprise. In recent years, technology has advanced enough that most dental patients no longer need to undergo painful procedures for the treatment of gum disease. A periodontist from our establishment — you will either see Dr. Steven Saunders, Dr. Victor Saunders or Dr. Jeff Dickson — can treat your periodontal disease with LANAP® laser gum treatment. The minimally invasive surgery typically causes very little pain, takes just two appointments of two hours each, and allows for fast healing. Most patients are back to work almost immediately.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Stop sacrificing your health out of fear. Contact us at Shenandoah Valley Implant Institute to learn more about LANAP® laser gum treatment.