Do you have painful gums and deteriorating teeth that you want brought back to a good condition? A dentist will first have to determine the exact cause of your poor oral health. Your symptoms point to the possibility of periodontal disease, which can be treated using various techniques depending on the condition's severity. Below, you will learn about some of the important things you should know about periodontal disease.

1. Why Periodontal Disease Develops

Gum exposure to bacteria is the main cause of periodontal disease developing. Bacteria grows from food accumulating on your teeth and forming plaque. Periodontal disease will usually only develop if you don't brush your teeth often enough to get rid of the plaque. The worst thing about plaque is that it can be hidden in areas between your teeth that a toothbrush is unable to reach. If you brush regularly but don't floss, it is also likely that there is hidden plaque on your teeth.

2. How Severe the Symptoms Might Become

Because your teeth have begun to deteriorate, it is likely that you already have severe periodontal disease. The mildest form of the disease is called gingivitis, and you might only experience painful and inflamed gums. Bleeding gums is also a symptom that can occur with gingivitis. Periodontitis is the most serious form of the disease, which can cause weak jawbones and teeth falling out. You might also end up with a full body inflammation from bacteria getting into your bloodstream.

3. How Minor Symptoms Are Treated

If you are only suffering from gingivitis symptoms, it is possible that you will only need to be treated for an infection and inflammation. The dentist can prescribe antibiotics to treat the problem. Your teeth are likely to be thoroughly cleaned to get rid of all traces of plaque. The dentist can scale your teeth for the best results, which will simply involve plaque being manually scraped off.

4. Why Surgery Might Be Necessary

If periodontal disease has left you with a weak jawbone and loose teeth, surgery might be the best form of treatment. The dentist will focus on repairing major damage in an effort to preserve as many teeth as possible. For instance, if you have a weak jawbone, it may need to be repaired via the bone grafting technique. If any of your teeth are on the verge of falling out, the dentist can extract them and install dental implants as replacements. If you're suffering from symptoms of periodontal disease, check out http://www.thefamilydentist-lakeland.com and ask your dentist about your treatment options.