What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease describes inflammation and infection in the tissues of your gums. Typically, the root cause of periodontal disease is poor dental hygiene.
When you don’t brush and floss your teeth multiple times a day, a film of bacteria begins to develop on your teeth. This film, known as plaque, gradually hardens and can lead to gum damage and symptoms like:
- Bad breath
- Bleeding gums
- Extra sensitive teeth
- Sore and painful gums
- Difficulty chewing food
If your diet is lacking in nutrition, Juice Plus+® whole food-based nutritional products are an ideal solution for ensuring your body gets what it needs to function. At South County Sleep Solutions in Newport Beach, California, Dr. Dana Rockey offers a variety of Juice Plus+ products made up of farm-fresh vegetables, fruits, and other nutrients in a convenience capsule or chewable form. Find out how Juice Plus+ can reinvent your diet and put you on the path to better health by calling South County Sleep Solutions today.
If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to receding gums and the permanent loss of your teeth.
How does chronic disease cause periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease often results from improper brushing. However, if you have an underlying chronic health condition, your risk for periodontal disease can increase significantly. Some of the most common diseases that can lead to gum disease and tooth loss include:
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Osteoporosis
You may even experience bleeding or swelling in your gums because of respiratory infections, like pneumonia.
What integrative dental medicine services are available?
To treat existing gum issues that result from underlying health conditions, Dr. Rockey collaborates with your primary care physician or specialist and creates a custom treatment plan to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
Dr. Rockey also offers preventive care services in conjunction with your physician to reduce your risk factors for periodontal disease. Through lifestyle and nutritional counseling and management, he works closely with you to maximize your overall health and prevent gum damage and tooth loss.
Through his nutritional and lifestyle counseling, Dr. Rockey also provides you with the resources to reduce your own risk factors for developing chronic diseases in the first place.
How can I prevent gum disease?
In addition to changing your lifestyle and diet, you should remain proactive about your dental health. To reduce your risk for gum disease and tooth loss, be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and use floss to remove bacteria between your teeth.
You should also limit sugary foods and drinks that cause plaque buildup and brush your teeth after every meal and snack.
If you’re a smoker, Dr. Rockey can provide you with resources to quit successfully and preserve both your dental and overall health.
If you have swollen or bleeding gums, don’t delay an evaluation with Dr. Rockey. You can request a consultation by calling South County Sleep Solutions.
