If you spent most of your adult life fighting gingivitis, it may be time to see a dentist for treatment. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, can take a huge toll on your dental and physical health. If you don't seek care for your periodontal disease soon, you may experience tooth loss and other issues. Learn more about periodontal disease and why it's important to see a dentist for treatment below.

What Does Gum Disease Do to Your Health?

Gingivitis tends to be the most common form of periodontal disease to affect adults today. The condition causes inflammation, such as swelling and redness, to develop in the gum tissue surrounding your teeth. Without the appropriate periodontal treatment, gingivitis can turn into periodontitis over time. 

A number of things cause gingivitis, including tartar buildup. When the plaque on your teeth becomes hard, it turns into tartar. Tartar can develop deep above the gum line, which is one of the most difficult areas of the teeth to clean. Tartar can also form on the backs of your teeth and infect the gums in these areas as well.

Eating foods high in starch and sugar can also cause inflammation of the gums. Sugar, in particular, can weaken the blood vessels in your mouth that support your gums. The weakened vessels may not send enough blood to your gums, which causes them to swell and inflame. 

If you've tried everything you can to treat your gingivitis at home and nothing works, see a dentist about periodontal treatment today.

What Will a Dentist Do for You?

A dentist will evaluate your gums to how severe your gingivitis is before they offer periodontal treatment to you. Although gingivitis is the mildest case of periodontal disease, it can still be severe enough to endanger your teeth and gums. A dentist must ensure your gingivitis didn't spread deeper into your gums and bone tissue.

If your periodontal disease is still mild, a dentist will most likely clean your teeth and gums at the time of your appointment. A provider must remove as much tartar from your teeth as they possibly can. Most providers use special instruments called picks to remove tartar from your teeth. Picks contain sharp edges or ends that scrape tartar from every surface of your teeth, including above the gumline.

If your gum disease is severe enough to damage your oral health, a dentist may schedule you for a deep tooth and gum cleaning in the immediate future. Deep cleanings may take longer to complete than regular tooth cleanings. A provider can go over the details about your deep tooth and gum cleaning after they examine your gums. 

Learn more about periodontal disease by consulting a dentist for treatment today.