Dr. Vikas Mittle
Board Certified Periodontist
Experts indicate that periodontal disease is on the rise and point to three significant reasons for this unfortunate development. First, our population is aging, and gum disease is often seen in elderly adults. Second, smoking and escalating chronic health conditions like diabetes have a dramatic impact on oral health. However, the third and more troubling issue is that routine dental checkups are being put off in these difficult economic times, allowing small problems to escalate into severe issues.
Periodontists offer important dental services for people of all ages that can intervene now to stop erosion of oral health and restore a sense of well-being. Periodontists fight the effects of gum disease, caused by a buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth.
In its earliest stages as gingivitis, gums may appear puffy and inflamed. If addressed vigorously at this stage, a solid regimen of brushing and flossing, along with routine care by your dentist can resolve the issue. But as the plaque hardens into tartar and settles into the gum line, bacterial pockets form around the teeth and eat away at the tissue and bone holding them in place. Without intervention, tooth loss will often occur. Persons who smoke and have chronic conditions like diabetes are at even greater risk for the serious forms of periodontal gum disease.
Periodontists, like Dr. Vikas Mittle at Shine Dental Associates, have many tools in their arsenal to fight periodontal gum disease. Through root scaling and planing, they can clean away infections around the root of the tooth to save it from bone and tissue erosion. They offer many surgical techniques designed to strengthen damaged bone and help to regenerate gums that may have receded away from the teeth. When needed, periodontists also offer dental implant surgery to replace missing teeth and help stabilize the bite.
Good oral health is an essential component of living well. Periodontists diagnose and treat complex dental issues so that you have a smile to be proud of. Even more importantly they address serious dental issues through expert care that will enhance your overall physical health and keep you feeling younger even into your mature years.
For a free consultation with Shine Dental Associate’s board certified periodontist please call (516) 348-8500.
