Periodontal Disease in Kingston, Jamaica

Periodontal disease is a gum infection that damages the soft tissue and bone that holds your teeth in place. This progressive disease occurs when plaque and bacteria build up on the teeth. If left untreated, this build-up can eventually cause your gums to pull away from your teeth. When this occurs, the supporting bone and tissue can be destroyed, eventually losing the tooth. Visit Southdale Dental Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies, for the best dental services.

Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

• Bleeding, swollen, or tender gums
• Gums that pull away from your teeth
• Tenderness or pain when chewing
• Red, swollen, or shiny gums
• Receding gums
• Pus around your teeth
• Your gums don’t look or feel healthy
• Cold or hot sensitivity in your teeth
• Dry mouth (Xerostomia)

Diagnosis of Periodontal Disease

If your dentist suspects you may have periodontal disease, they will perform a thorough evaluation. They will check your gums and bone structure and examine your bite. Your dentist may ask you to bite down and measure any pockets between your gums and teeth.

Your dentist will also use a unique instrument to measure the space between the tooth and gum. They will use a small ruler to measure this distance. If your gums are healthy, there is a space between your gum and tooth of about 1 to 3 millimeters.

This space will be more significant if your gums are inflamed, swollen, or infected. A greater pocket depth indicates gum disease and can make treatment more challenging.

Treatment of Periodontal Disease

Before recommending any treatment, the periodontist will thoroughly examine your mouth. This involves reviewing your medical history and listing your symptoms. After reviewing your medical history, the periodontist will examine your mouth for signs of periodontal disease. The treatment for periodontal disease depends on the severity of your gum disease. In mild cases, your dentist might recommend a cleaning, antibiotics, or gum surgery. In more severe cases, patients might need to use special dental appliances or undergo gum surgery.

Maintaining Periodontal Health

Patients with periodontal disease often question what they can do at home to maintain periodontal health. Daily brushing and flossing are two of the most critical factors. Brushing helps remove plaque from the surfaces of the teeth, and flossing helps remove plaque from the spaces between the teeth.

If you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease, our dentist will educate you on the best ways to maintain your oral health and help prevent further infection. Contact Southdale Dental, Shop 8, E. Southdale Plaza, 3 South Ave, Kingston 10, Jamaica, West Indies, 00010, or phone (876) 929-3312 for the best dental services.