In many cases, oral cavities and gum disease go together. But despite what you may think, that doesn’t always have to be the case. Occasionally patients can have periodontal disease without any cavities, so don’t believe that you’re home free just because you don’t have any cavities. Read on to find out why cavities and periodontal disease don’t always go together.
Typically, when a patient has periodontal disease, bacterial acids have been chomping away at their teeth for a long time. As the pearly whites are left uncovered to these acids, the enamel layer of the pearly whites is scraped away and cavities begin to grow. However, if a patient is only in the first phases of gum disease, the bacterial acids may not yet have pierced the enamel. In these patients, the gums are swollen but there are no cavities resultant from gum disease. To foil periodontal disease and cavities, ensure that you’re brushing and flossing your teeth daily to get rid of any food remnants left as debris after meals. And remember to visit your friends at Mountain Perio often for cleanings!
If you’d like to arrange an appointment, ring (828) 693-7533 to get in touch with the Mountain Perio team about visiting with Dr. Greg Fertik in Hendersonville, North Carolina.