A study called “Prevalence of Periodontitis in Adults in the United States” completed in 2010, estimates that almost 50 percent of all American adults suffer from periodontitis. For elderly adults, this number increases to 70.1 percent. Dr. Nikunj Raiyani, located in Hanford, is committed to patient education for prevention of oral conditions. Here at Hanford Family Dental Center we pride ourselves on our excellent level of care to assist patients in lifelong good oral health.
Periodontitis:
This is a serious and often devastating gum infection. It often begins mildly with gingivitis. If caught in this stage, treatment to reverse it is often easy and effective. If left untreated, it can progress to a point where your soft gum tissue is damaged and it will destroy the bone that supports your teeth. Many cases of tooth loss are directly linked to severe gum disease.
Effects of periodontal disease:
- Links to overall body health: More studies are showing a direct link between gum disease and certain conditions. There is a correlation between periodontitis and poor heart health. In fact, the link is so strong that the American Academy of Periodontology recommends all cardiologist to ask their patients about any history of gum disease.
- Aging: We all want to age gracefully. Gum disease prevents this by increasing our chance of tooth loss, and it puts us at a higher risk of dementia in later life. It can also cause memory problems. A study showed that the participants with severe periodontitis scored the worst on memory tests and calculations.
The severity of your gum disease will affect what treatment we use to combat it. At Hanford Family Dental Center, we remain focused on providing patients with the most conservative treatment that will effectively treat their issue. Call us today to schedule an appointment! 559-530-8080.