Many patients do not realize the importance of healthy gums. All patients are checked for any signs of gum disease. Gum disease is a silent disease of the mouth that can go undiagnosed until it's to late, resulting in the loss of teeth. It is important to realize gum disease not only affects the gums, it also deteriorates the bone, which supports the teeth. Recent studies have linked gum disease to respiratory infection and heart disease such as endocarditis. Unfortunately, gum disease does not cause the patient to experience any pain, until it's is in it's advanced stages. Some signs to look for if you think you may have gum disease are bleeding of the gums, bad breath, and roughness of the surface of the teeth, There are different stages of treatment available to combat gum disease at Park Falls Dental. Patients diagnossed with gum disease will first see a highly qualified dental hygientist, who have been specifically trained to treat gum disease and help maintain the health of the patient's mouth following gum treatments. Dr. Scoggins also works very closely with the periodontist in the area, who speacialize in treating the problems associated with the gums.