Other causes of periodontal disease are smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol, improper use of dental floss and toothpicks, an unbalanced diet, vitamin C deficiency, pregnancy and certain medications. Warning signs to look out for are gums that bleed when you brush your teeth, red, swollen or receding gums, pus between teeth, loose teeth, bad breath, and a change in your bite or the way your dentures fit. The type of treatment required depends on the stage of the disease. In the early stages your dentist will recommend professional cleaning followed by daily brushing and flossing. When gum disease is more serious, your dentist may have to remove the infected gum tissue.
Surgery can sometimes involve reshaping the bone around the tooth or removing a portion of the bone.
In the most serious cases, you may loose a tooth. Your dentist will advise you on the best way to replace it. All contents of this site constitutes the property of Altima Dental and may not be copied, reproduced or distributed without prior written permission.