Take care of your teeth, take care of your gums
Periodontal Treatment in Portland, OR
Gum Disease and Systemic Conditions
Your oral health impacts your overall health in dramatic ways.
Research, especially over the last decade, has uncovered links between gum (periodontal) health and overall health. As research continues, scientists are linking more systemic diseases with periodontal disease with each passing year.
Gum disease and the following conditions have been linked:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Low birth weight babies
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Erectile dysfunction
- COPD and other respiratory illnesses
- Pancreatic cancer
By supporting healthy gums, our Roots Dental team hopes to generate better overall health and wellbeing.
Causes of Periodontal Disease
In most cases, periodontal disease occurs because of neglect. This may mean poor home care or missed dental cleanings.
Genetics, medication, and certain illnesses may also play a role in gum disease. It often runs in families, and like other infections, the bacteria can move from one person to the next. Encouraging everyone in your house to brush, floss, and have regular dental cleanings will support better overall health for everyone.
Even if you brush and floss your teeth each day, however, eventually plaque collects in the places your floss and toothbrush cannot reach. Plaque hardens into tartar, and a dental hygienist will need to remove it to avoid irritation and infection.
Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease
Here are some of the signs of periodontal disease:
- Bleeding, red, or irritated gums
- Recession near the gumline
- Foul breath odor
- Pain when brushing or flossing
- Tooth mobility
- Tooth loss
If you have any of the above symptoms, it’s time to schedule an appointment in our Portland dental office. In some cases, we can reverse the symptoms of early gum disease and eliminate the infection in just a few dental appointments.
How We Treat Gum Disease
When we design a hygiene treatment plan for our patients, we take your periodontal health into account. If you have signs of gum disease, we will often schedule a series of focused dental cleanings designed to remove tartar and bacteria and promote the healing of your gum tissue.
If you suffer from advanced gum disease, we can often use the assistance of localized antibiotic treatment, medicated rinses, and frequent dental cleanings to help you get back on track.
Our personalized approach to care will help you maintain a healthy smile and fresh breath. By working together, you can keep periodontal disease under control and reduce your risk for tooth loss along with the other health conditions associated with infection and inflammation.
Getting an appointment is fast and easy!
Meet Dr. Angela Low DDS
General Dentist
Born and raised in the Bay Area of Northern California, Dr. Low earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from University of the Pacific in San Francisco. Following graduation, she moved to Portland to further her training by completing a General Practice Residency at Oregon Health and Science University. At OHSU Hospital, Dr. Low’s training focused on dental extractions, removable dentures, and restorative work.
Call Us to Schedule Your Next Dental Cleaning
Whether you receive frequent cleanings or you have some catching up to do, we know you will find our hygienists gentle, thorough, and a wealth of knowledge about healthy teeth and gums. Call us at (503) 878-8702 to set up an appointment. We welcome new patients.