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Lowen Perio
Lowen Perio

Lowen Perio
Your Tigard, OR Dentist


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Periodontal Disease


 
Diagram of Gum Disease at Lowen PerioPeriodontal diseases are caused by bacterial infections that attack gums, ligaments and bone. There are several kinds of periodontal disease. Often painless, these diseases may develop slowly or progress quite rapidly; and they can occur at any age. Unless you have regular dental checkups, including a periodontal exam, you may not be aware you have a problem until your gums and bone have been seriously compromised.

At the very edge of the gumline, the gum tissue is not attached to the tooth. Instead, there is a shallow, V-shaped groove called the sulcus between the tooth and gum. The normal space between teeth and healthy gums should be three millimeters or less. With periodontal disease, this tiny space develops into a pocket. Generally, the more severe the disease, the greater the depth of the pockets.

Stages of Periodontal Disease



The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. If you have gingivitis, your gums may become red, swollen and bleed easily. At this stage, the disease is still reversible and can usually be eliminated by a professional cleaning at your dental office, followed by daily brushing and flossing.

Advanced gum disease is called periodontitis. Chronic periodontitis can lead to the loss of tissue and bone that support the teeth and it may become more severe over time. If it does, your teeth will feel loose and start moving around in your mouth. It usually gets worse slowly, but there can be periods of rapid progression.

Factors that can increase the risk, severity, and speed at which periodontal diseases develop.

This includes factors such as:
•  Genetics
•  Smoking or chewing tobacco
•  Bridges that no longer fit properly or fillings that have become defective
•  Malocclusion (crooked teeth or bad bite)
•  Clenching or grinding teeth
•  Poor diet
•  Pregnancy
•  Stress
•  Systemic diseases, such as leukemia, AIDS or diabetes
•  Menopause
•  Osteoporosis
•  Medications, such as steroids, some types of anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some calcium channel blockers, and oral contraceptives.

Regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are very important. The treatment methods that our dentists diagnose will depend upon the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed. Good dental care at home is essential to help keep periodontal disease from becoming more serious or recurring.

Learn More About Periodontal Treatment:



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Contact Information:



9900 SW Greenburg Rd, Suite #230
Tigard, OR 97223-5473


503 620 1117
info@lowenperio.com

Hours:


Mon: 7am-4pm
Tue: 7am-4pm
Wed: By Appointment
Thu: 7am-4pm
Fri: 7am-1pm

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Lowen Perio, 9900 SW Greenburg Rd, Suite #230, Tigard, OR 97223 ~ 503 620 1117 ~ lowenperio.com ~ 11/30/2024 ~ Associated Words: Periodontist Tigard OR ~