Periodontal Treatment in West Chester, OH

Do you know the symptoms of gum disease? You might notice that your gums bleed when you brush or that you have bad breath that won’t go away even with mouthwash.

Or, you may have gum disease and not have any symptoms at all. Periodontal disease is a widespread problem that affects about 40 percent of American adults over the age of 30.

Do You Have Gum Disease?

If you’ve noticed a change lately in the way your gums look or feel, you may be seeing the signs of periodontal infection. The sooner you schedule an appointment for a dental cleaning at the office of Joel R. Koch, DDS, the sooner we can eliminate the disease and get you back on the way to a happy and healthy smile.

Regardless of what stage of periodontal disease you might be experiencing, gum disease treatment at our West Chester practice can help. Call us to schedule your next appointment so we can make sure your gums are healthy and disease-free.

• How Gum Disease Develops
• The Dangers of Gum Disease
• Know the Symptoms of Gum Disease
• Avoid Gum Disease with Preventive Dentistry
• Routine Dental Cleanings
• Periodontal Deep Cleanings
• Periodontal Maintenance Cleanings

How Gum Disease Develops

Gum disease is an infection that attacks your gums and the bone that holds your teeth in place. Typically, it develops due to a lack of adequate oral hygiene and skipping routine dental exams and cleanings.

Periodontal disease occurs because there is a buildup of plaque between teeth and under the gums that harbor bacteria and leads to infection. If we don’t treat gum disease in its early stages, pockets open up between your teeth and gums. You may notice that your teeth start to feel like they’re loose, and without treatment, you may start to lose them.

However, prompt gum disease treatment at our West Chester, OH dental office can help protect your smile and prevent the infection from spreading and threatening the stability of your teeth and your overall oral health.

The Dangers of Gum Disease in West Chester

The most significant problem with periodontal disease is that it doesn’t just affect your teeth and gums. Whatever happens in your mouth also affects your overall health and well-being. Researchers today who are investigating the link between chronic gum disease and your general health have discovered that it contributes to numerous conditions, including:

• Heart disease
• Lung disease
• Diabetes
• Osteoporosis
• Dementia
• Certain cancers
• Pregnancy complications

However, the good news is that gum disease is highly preventable with proper oral care. Be sure to brush at least twice a day and floss once. Visit your West Chester, OH dentist twice a year or more often if recommended. You may not know you have gum disease, but we will find it during these routine appointments and take the appropriate steps to treat it before it does irreversible damage to your oral health.

Call us today to schedule your next dental exam and cleaning.

Know the Symptoms of Gum Disease

Most people don’t realize how serious periodontal (gum) disease is—or just how common. Gum disease is the number one reason for tooth loss in adults. The problem is that many times, people don’t even realize they have it because they don’t visit their dentist regularly. Sometimes symptoms of gum disease don’t start showing up until the infection is in its advanced form and irreversible.

• One of the earliest signs of periodontal disease is gums that bleed whenever you brush and floss and can indicate that you have the early stages of gum disease.
• If your gums are red rather than pink, this could mean infection-causing bacteria are present. This is another symptom that could be a sign of early-stage gum disease or gingivitis. At this point, the disease can be treated—and even reversed. If left untreated, however, the infection will continue to progress. Puffy-looking gums are another warning that infection is taking hold in your mouth.
• Do your teeth look longer than usual? Your teeth are not growing, but your gums may be receding. Receding gums are not the result of aging, as some people believe, but a sign of a more advanced stage of periodontal disease.
• If your teeth have started to become loose, gum disease is in its advanced stage, called periodontitis. You are at high risk for tooth loss at this point.
• Have you noticed that your breath smells bad, regardless of how many times you brush your teeth or rinse with mouthwash? Chronic bad breath is another indicator of advanced gum disease.

If you are overdue for a dental checkup, the health of your gums could be in jeopardy. Call our West Chester, OH dental practice, Joel R. Koch, DDS, so we can take a look and determine whether or not you need gum disease treatment.

Avoid Gum Disease with Preventive Dentistry

You can’t prevent gum disease with brushing and flossing alone, and once it develops, it won’t go away on its own. Your best bet for avoiding gum disease is to combine your at-home oral hygiene with routine dental checkups and teeth cleanings at our West Chester dental office.

The dental care team at the office of Joel R. Koch, DDS, spends time getting to know you to ensure that we provide unique and personalized treatment that fits your specific needs. If you see signs of gum disease, call us right away so we can take steps to treat it before it damages your oral health. You can be confident that we will recommend the type of dental cleaning for you that addresses your unique needs. 

Routine Dental Cleanings in 45241 Area 

If regular dental cleanings with a hygienist every six months aren’t part of your routine, you put yourself at risk for gum disease and cavities. Combining these preventive dental cleanings with brushing and flossing at home and a healthy diet is your best defense against gum disease. We typically recommend that you have preventive dental exams and cleanings every six months.

Once you’ve had gum disease, you are always at risk of getting it again. Please call our West Chester office for a dental appointment, and we’ll be happy to perform a thorough exam and cleaning to prevent and treat gum disease.

Periodontal Deep Cleanings in West Chester, OH

Your dental hygienist would recommend a periodontal deep cleaning at our West Chester dental office if you currently have gum disease. You may also hear us refer to this procedure as a deep cleaning or scaling and root planing.

During a deep cleaning, your hygienist carefully clears away bacteria-filled plaque and tartar from your teeth and below the gum line. She smooths the root surfaces of your teeth so that bacteria doesn’t have a place to reattach. We typically schedule your deep cleaning over two appointments, so you don't have to spend too much time in the dental chair. Our hygienist performs deep cleaning treatments under local anesthesia for your comfort.

Periodontal Maintenance Cleanings

Once we treat you for periodontal disease, we’ll need to see you more frequently for follow-up appointments. Some patients with gum disease need to be seen as many as four times a year, but the frequency depends on your individual needs.

These recall cleanings allow our West Chester, OH dentist to keep an eye on the condition of your gums. They also provide an opportunity for us to identify any potential problem areas and adjust your treatment needed to maintain optimal oral health.