Preventing Periodontal Disease Early

Periodontal diseases (gum disease) can have severe consequences if not detected early. Periodontitis and gingivitis are the two main diseases that are included in this category and in some cases it can cause irreparable damage.

Permanent teeth loss is usually associated with periodontitis but the disease itself evolves from an untreated gingivitis. Research concludes that some individuals tend to have a genetic predisposition to develop some form of a periodontal disease. Fortunately, early diagnosis of the disease can help save your teeth and your body from issues caused by periodontal disease and, in most cases, treatment will begin after the initial symptoms have been diagnosed.

On the other hand, prevention by maintaining oral hygiene tend to greatly diminish the odds of developing gingivitis or periodontitis. Visiting your dentist for your regularly scheduled dental visits can help your dentist keep an eye on the health of your gums and teeth. Also, having a healthy diet and removing unhealthy habits, such as smoking and drinking coffee, can help reduce the risk of developing periodontal disease.

Author

Magi Crofcheck DDS Dr. Magi Crofcheck completed her specialty training in Periodontics and Oral Implantology at the University of Texas Dental Branch. She is certified to provide oral and intravenous sedation to her patients and is also certified to provide continuing education credits to other dental professionals. Dr. Crofcheck performs esthetic techniques including hard and soft tissue grafting, hard and soft tissue augmentation, and implants. She believes in giving back to the community by volunteering her time to provide services to those less fortunate through events such as Dentistry for the Heart and has even traveled as a missionary to foreign countries. Dr. Crofcheck is a member of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI), Southwest Society of Periodontists (SWSP) and the American Dental Association (ADA). She is also a Program Provider for Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) Program Approval for Continuing Education (PACE).