Downey Park Family Dentistry is excited to announce that our offices are reopen to serve our community. We are taking additional special measures to ensure the health and safety of our patients and team, and appreciate your understanding that things will look and function a bit differently in our office for the time being.
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If you think that you may have periodontal (gum) disease in Modesto, you need to get help from a qualified dentist like Dr. Corey Acree right away. Early intervention is essential for controlling gum disease, saving your teeth, and restoring your oral health. Learn more below, or contact us now for a consultation.
Periodontal disease is a preventable oral health condition that is caused by improper oral hygiene. If you do not brush and floss regularly, bacteria-filled plaque and tartar will begin to build up between your teeth and gums.
Over time, the bacteria in plaque and tartar will infect your gums and attack them, resulting in periodontal disease. Initially, this only results in swelling and inflammation, but advanced stages of gum disease can cause irreversible damage to your teeth and gums.
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Gingivitis is the first and most common stage of gum disease. In this condition, the gums will become inflamed and swollen and may look discolored, but there is no permanent damage to the underlying tooth structure, and the disease can be completely reversed and eliminated.
However, if it is left untreated, gingivitis will progress into “periodontitis.” This condition is irreversible, but it can be controlled with proper periodontal care. In periodontitis, the bacteria infecting the gums will begin to destroy the gum tissue and the underlying structure of the teeth, resulting in more serious symptoms.
The final stage of periodontal disease is “advanced periodontitis.” The support structures of your teeth will be mostly destroyed, and you may begin to lose multiple teeth. While it is sometimes possible to save your teeth, it may be more practical to remove your remaining teeth and replace them with dentures or dental implants.
Early-stage gum disease (gingivitis) is usually characterized by gum swelling, inflammation, and discoloration, as well as bleeding when brushing or flossing. You may also experience bad breath (halitosis) that won’t go away.
As the disease progresses to the second stage (periodontitis), common side effects include tooth sensitivity, gum recession (which makes your teeth look longer), sore and tender gums, and excessive gum bleeding.
The final stage of gum disease is characterized by severe symptoms like teeth shifting or loosening, a change in how your teeth fit together, pain when chewing, and pus-forming between your teeth and gums. You may even lose one or more of your teeth.
Coming in for cleanings and hygiene appointments every six months will decrease your likelihood of developing dental issues. These visits will give you peace of mind that your teeth are strong and healthy, and our team will be able to track your oral development over time.
Regularly checking in with Dr. Acree and visiting the team at Downey Park Family Dentistry ensures that we can keep an eye on your overall oral health and well-being, and avoid issues like gum disease and tooth decay. In the long run, this saves you both time and money.
We’ll clean, polish, and buff your teeth during every visit at our office. This helps prevent and reverse the buildup of stains and keeps your smile shiny, bright, and healthy.