It is our main priority at the office of Dr. Daryl Lechner to ensure the best possible
oral health for everyone in
Delaware and all of its surrounding cities. Along with providing excellent oral care to all of my patients, we also do our best to keep our patients informed informed on the dangers of oral disorders such as gum disease.
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is extremely unhealthy for your mouth and your overall health if you do not receive treatment. Almost everyone knows that gum disease is bad, but few know why it is so threatening. The two most common forms of gum disease is gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis only effects your gums whereas periodontitis effects both your gums and your jaw bone. Both of these are cause by plaque and tartar build up on your teeth and underneath your gum line.The reason why is that tartar and plaque both release toxins that will irritate your gum tissue. These toxins cause an inflammatory response which cause the body’s immune system to attack itself. This causes the gums to separate from the teeth and bone. Pockets are then formed under your gums that can become easily infected by the bacteria in one's mouth. This can cause the bone that supports the teeth to deteriorate. If not treated, the pockets between your gums caused by this condition can grow larger, important gum tissue and bone is destroyed, and the condition can lead to tooth loss.
If you would like more information about your oral health, please visit the American Dental Association. The best way to prevent both types of gum disease is to develop healthy oral hygiene habits. If you brush, floss, and use mouthwash regularly then you are taking the first steps in preventing gum disease. Additionally, your dentist can help treat the early signs of gum disease by removing plaque and tartar. Ocassionally, a deep clean may be necessary in order to properly treat your tartar and plaque build up.