{"id":147,"date":"2015-07-23T18:24:45","date_gmt":"2015-07-23T18:24:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dentistsatorenco.com\/blog\/?p=147"},"modified":"2016-06-16T21:35:38","modified_gmt":"2016-06-16T21:35:38","slug":"periodontal-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dentistsatorenco.com\/blog\/periodontal-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Hillsboro Dentists at Orenco Want You to Understand the Threat of Periodontal Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ThinkstockPhotos-472805521\"<\/a>Periodontal disease in Hillsboro, OR and across the United States is marked by red, swollen, pus-filled gums that pull away from tooth roots. Most commonly caused by poor dental hygiene, millions of adults suffer from this devastating but treatable oral infection.<\/p>\n

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimate that approximately half adult Americans over the age of 30 have periodontal or advanced gum disease. Characterized by red, swollen, bleeding gum tissue, periodontitis leads to tooth and bone loss and also to systemic conditions such as diabetes, heart attack, asthma and more.<\/p>\n

What causes gum disease?<\/h3>\n

Gum disease is caused by a variety of factors, including poor dental hygiene. When brushing, flossing and professional cleanings are neglected, sticky, bacteria-filled plaque forms on teeth and below the gum line.<\/p>\n

Left untreated, the plaque quickly turns into rock-hard tartar, creating infected pockets in gum tissue. Pockets measuring more than 5 mm indicate advanced periodontitis and need dental attention before teeth loosen and are lost and before jaw bone is destroyed.<\/p>\n

In addition, other<\/a> factors<\/a> play into gum disease. Heredity is one of them. If family members tend toward gum issues, you may develop them as well over time. So, it\u2019s important to alert your Hillsboro, OR dentist to your medical history, including conditions that seem to run in the family.<\/p>\n

Besides heredity, hormonal changes such as those associated with pregnancy and menopause play into gum disease. So, women should not neglect their dental check-ups during these important seasons of life. Additionally, some medical conditions which suppress the immune system, such as diabetes and cancer, promote gum problems as do medications such as antidepressants and oral contraceptives<\/p>\n

Another common culprit is tobacco use. Centers for Disease Control (CDC)\u00a0 research pegs cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco as loaded with toxins which destroy gum tissue. Smoking steals vital oxygen and other nutrients from the mouth, making it prone to gum infection. Combine tobacco with other risk factors such as obesity and poor diet, and periodontitis is the result.<\/p>\n

What can be done about Hillsboro, OR periodontal disease?<\/h3>\n

The best action is a trip to your Hillsboro, OR dentists, Doctors Brandon and Malinda Kearbey.\u00a0 These Dentists at Orenco Station are passionate about preventive<\/a> dentistry<\/a> and can measure the extent of your gum issues,\u00a0 suggesting treatments such as:<\/p>\n