At Professional Dental, with multiple convenient Utah locations, our specialized team offers advanced periodontal care focused on halting disease progression and restoring your gum health.

If you suspect you have gum disease, call us for a comprehensive evaluation today: (801) 785 – 8000.

Understanding Periodontitis: Prevalence and Causes

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease triggered by the body’s immune response to plaque biofilm—a sticky film of bacteria that accumulates on the teeth. This persistent bacterial challenge causes the destruction of the tooth-supporting structures: the gum tissue, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone.

Key Statistics & Demographics

Based on data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES):

• Prevalence: Approximately 42% of dentate U.S. adults aged 30 or older have some form of periodontitis (mild, moderate, or severe).
• Risk Factors: The prevalence of periodontitis increases significantly with age.
• Demographic Disparities: The condition is observed to be significantly more common in males than in females, and statistically higher in non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics compared to non-Hispanic whites.

Clinical Signs of Disease

The host response to the bacterial infection leads to noticeable clinical signs, which include:

• Deep Pockets forming between the tooth and gum.
• Bleeding on Probing (bleeding when the gums are examined).
• Gingival Recession (gums pulling away from the teeth).
• Tooth Mobility, which can ultimately result in tooth extraction.

The Oral-Systemic Link: Periodontitis and Your Overall Health

While the evidence of a definitive causal link is often mixed, research consistently suggests strong associations between advanced gum disease and various systemic health issues. Treating periodontitis is a crucial step in managing your overall well-being.

Periodontitis is categorized using two essential criteria:

1. Staging (I–IV): Describes the severity and extent of the disease, focusing on the amount of soft tissue attachment loss and radiographic bone loss. Stage IV represents the most severe disease presentation.

Grading (A, B, C): Predicts the potential for disease progression and helps determine treatment outcomes. Grading considers factors like direct evidence of progression, smoking status, and diabetic control.

Targeted Periodontal Treatment in Utah

The primary objective of periodontal treatment is to eliminate the dysbiotic (unbalanced) plaque biofilm and create an environment where oral health can be maintained.

Your optimal treatment plan will be based on your individual stage and grade of disease, systemic factors (like diabetes), and specific site factors. Treatment may involve:

• Non-Surgical Procedures: Deep cleaning, scaling, and root planing to remove plaque and calculus below the gumline.
• Surgical Procedures: Advanced techniques to regenerate lost bone and tissue or reduce pocket depth.

Don’t ignore the silent threat of gum disease. If you are noticing persistent symptoms like bleeding gums when you brush, struggling with chronic bad breath (halitosis), or feel you have loose or shifting teeth, it is crucial to seek professional help immediately. These are not minor issues; they are clear indicators that your oral health—and potentially your overall systemic health—is at risk.

At Professional Dental, our highly experienced periodontal specialists are dedicated to diagnosing and treating the full spectrum of gum disease, from gingivitis to advanced periodontitis. We use the latest diagnostic and treatment protocols to stop disease progression, preserve your natural teeth, and restore the health of your supporting bone and gum tissues.

We are ready to help you save your smile and protect your health.

Contact us today to schedule your comprehensive periodontal evaluation. With our Multiple Locations Throughout Utah, finding expert care close to home is simple and convenient.

Call us now at (801) 785 – 8000 to take the critical first step toward lasting gum health!