Because all of the disparate parts of your maxillofacial structure and smile are intimately connected, it is very important that you maintain a holistic view of your oral health. With that in mind, our Orland Park dentists encourage you to pay attention to any changes in your gum tissue, and to seek prompt treatment if you suspect your tissues are infected.
Gum disease occurs when oral bacteria infect your oral tissues. We call this infection gum disease in its earliest stages, and periodontal disease once it is more advanced.
The key to treating gum disease, and achieving lasting relief, is to minimize the number of harmful oral bacteria in your mouth.
To that end, if you have any existing dental cavities our team will treat these as part of your treatment protocol. We may also remove damaged gum tissue so that your immune system can more efficiently and effectively fight the infection.
As gum disease intensifies and becomes periodontal disease, you may notice that multiple parts of your smile are negatively affected. Chronic bad breath, for example, occurs due to a proliferation of bacteria, which release unpleasant odors when they grow and multiply. Additionally, as the infection spreads throughout your mouth, the connective tissues that hold your teeth in place can also be weakened and thus unable to hold your teeth in place.
Taking all of these factors together you will understand precisely why our dental team strongly recommends that you begin treatment for gum disease as promptly as possible. It is so much easier, more comfortable, and more affordable to keep this oral health problem in check before it becomes severe.
Our Tinley Park gum disease dentists are here to answer any additional questions that you may have, and to assess the current state of your smile.