Answers to your most frequently asked questions about gum disease.
Q: Why is gum disease so terrible if it doesn’t hurt?
Periodontal disease is a progressive one—meaning if it doesn’t stabilize or show signs of healing, it’s bound to get worse. Even when it doesn’t hurt, untreated gum disease will eventually take its toll: tooth loss.
But there is a bright side. Every day, we’re finding new ways to approach therapy. Since we can treat every stage of the disease, our practice has helped many, many patients save their teeth and bring oral tissues back to health and vitality.
Q: When treatment is finished, will I be cured?
Not necessarily. Gum disease is, in a word, incurable. But with your help, we can keep it under control. So much of your tissue health depends on what you’re willing to do. It’s all about brushing and flossing.
Q: What about my kids? Can they get gum disease?
We’re finding now that gum disease can begin in kids as young as age 10. It’s called “juvenile periodontitis.” Severe cases are rare, but we do see gingivitis, an early form of the disease. So at each appointment, we take a close look at your child’s teeth and gums and teach him or her what to watch for. And like adults, it’s critical that kids practice good home care habits—brushing, flossing, and a healthy diet—to keep gums and teeth shipshape.
