Preventing gum disease and other oral health conditions is a top priority in our dental office.

A Periodontal Evaluation Is Part of Every Checkup

Periodontal Disease Prevention

Periodontal (gum) disease is a growing problem and one of the most common conditions we treat.

While good oral hygiene habits can help prevent periodontal disease, it can still happen. The earlier we catch it, the easier it will be to treat.

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is caused by plaque that builds up on the teeth and especially under the gumline. The sticky plaque attracts bacteria and eventually turns into hard tartar. The tartar and bacteria irritate the gums and cause infection.

Preventing Periodontal Disease

Brushing twice daily and flossing every evening using proper technique will help remove a lot of plaque, but even the most diligent brusher and flosser may have a hard time cleaning off all the plaque, especially the plaque that hides under the gumline. You can improve your chances of staving off periodontal disease by getting twice-yearly professional dental cleanings from one of our excellent dental hygienists as recommended by the American Dental Association.

So what if you brush and floss and get your regular cleanings like you are supposed to and still get periodontal disease?

Other factors can contribute to and cause a predisposition to gum disease:

Smoking automatically increases your odds of developing gum disease. If you need help quitting, talk to your dentist.
Diabetes and heart disease have both been linked to periodontal disease.
Numerous prescription medications are known to cause dry mouth, which can contribute to gum disease.
Illnesses that inhibit your immune system, including cancer, increase your chances of developing periodontal disease.
Genetics also play a role. Gum disease tends to run in families.

Treating Periodontal Disease

How we address your gum disease depends a great deal on how advanced it is and how much damage it has caused. It’s important to treat gum disease, even in the early stages. Untreated gum disease will not only progress in your mouth but can also lead to health troubles throughout the rest of your body.

We can often treat mild gum disease with a renewed commitment to good oral hygiene habits and an antimicrobial mouthwash. Moderate-to-advanced gum disease may require a deep cleaning treatment known as scaling and root planing. During this treatment, we remove the tartar from below the gumline and get rid of the rough spots where bacteria tend to gather.

If you are concerned that you might have periodontal disease, don’t hesitate. Call our office today so that we can start your treatment.

Dr. Costigan is the most capable dentist I have ever had

“After years of dental neglect resulting in badly worn teeth I was encouraged to make an appointment with Dr. Costigan. It was the best decision I have made in years! Dr. Costigan created a dental design that restored functionality and made me proud to smile. Without question, Dr. Costigan is the most capable dentist I have ever had – quite simply, she is outstanding!”

- M. M.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is periodontal disease, and what does your office do about it?

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is caused by plaque that builds up on the teeth, especially under the gumline. This sticky plaque attracts bacteria and eventually turns into a hard substance known as calculus. Calculus and bacteria irritate the gums and can create pockets of infection around the teeth.

Periodontal disease is a serious condition, which has been linked to diabetes and heart disease. Moreover, it is a "silent" disease in that, without proper screening, it can progress in severity without an individual even realizing it.

You can improve your chances of preventing periodontal disease by getting twice-yearly professional dental cleanings as recommended by the American Dental Association. At these visits, we screen for periodontal disease. How we address your gum disease depends a great deal on how advanced it is and how much damage it has caused. If you require treatment, we will be sure to fully inform you of what is needed, and we are committed to helping restore your gums to health.

We can help you prevent periodontal disease and treat the problem should it occur.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Mary Costigan

Dr. Mary Costigan has been in the dental field for almost three decades. After working as a dental assistant, she pursued her dream to become a dentist and graduated from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 1999. She completed her general practice residency at the Manhattan Veterans Administration Medical Center. She trained at the Manhattan Veterans Administration’s Program for Prosthodontics and became a prosthodontist, a dentist who specializes in the restoration and replacement of teeth. After finishing the program, she began working in private practice. She later completed advanced ...