What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease has been linked to health concerns such as heart disease, strokes, diabetes, premature births, and pancreatic cancer. But with Dr. James Dickson’s expertise in treating gum disease and helping you maintain good oral health, your risk of developing these serious health conditions is greatly reduced with a visit to Columbia Periodontics in Columbia, TN.

Gum disease can develop when you least suspect it. You may brush and floss every day, but bacteria are good at hiding deep in your gums, creating plaque on the teeth that can harden into tartar, which cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone.

If plaque and tartar are not removed with a professional cleaning, they can destroy the tissues that attach your gums to the teeth, leaving the gums to pull away from the teeth and pockets to form between the teeth and gums. Eventually, plaque and tartar fill these pockets and erode the jawbone supporting the teeth.

In its various stages, gum disease can cause bleeding gums, bad breath, and even loose teeth. While regular checkups and cleanings with your general dentist can help identify gum disease before it progresses, most often we find ourselves too busy to notice that it’s time for dental care. This allows gum disease to rapidly progress, putting your overall health in harm’s way.

Gum Disease Specialist in Columbia, TN

As a periodontist, Dr. Dickson genuinely cares about your overall oral health. If you have questions about gum disease or your general oral health, please contact Columbia Periodontics today. Call (931) 380-1101 or request an appointment online now!