If your Southwest Florida-area dentist suggests that you might have xerostomia, it might not be cause for alarm, as up to 22% of the global population is affected to some degree by the condition, according to the American Dental Association. However, if your xerostomia is persistent and potentially compromising other elements of your oral health, your dentist will undoubtedly recommend treatment.
Twice-daily brushing and flossing go a long way in preserving the pearly white beauty of your smile. It’s also instrumental in helping prevent periodontal disease, a leading cause of tooth loss. Despite the dual aesthetic and health benefits role that brushing and flossing provide, more than 60% of U.S. adults over age 35 are living with some form of periodontal disease.
Patients with moderate to severe periodontal disease tend to dread the discomfort and pain associated with traditional treatment, whether scaling and root planing or more invasive procedures like gingival flap surgery and gum grafting. Such treatments are usually critical for halting the progression of gum disease to prevent further damage and potential tooth loss. However, there is another periodontal treatment you can turn to that effectively treats the underlying causes of the disease and promotes the regeneration of damaged tissues.