Microscopic Health Screenings

​

Periodontal disease or, gum disease, is a chronic bacterial infection in a persons’ mouth causing destruction to the gingiva, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone.  

Symptoms of periodontal disease:

1. Bleeding gums
2. Red, inflamed/swollen gums
3. Painful gums
4. Bad breath
5. Gum recession (may notice as longer appearing teeth)
6. Foul taste in mouth
7. Suppuration from gingival sulcus
8. Tooth mobility/shifting

If left untreated, periodontal disease may continue to spread and grow harming the supporting tissues around your teeth.  As more destruction of these supporting tissues occurs, teeth begin to loosen and shift.  After long periods of undiagnosed and untreated periodontal disease the damage can be so severe that the teeth may need to be removed or even fall out on their own!

At Dental Health Center of Northern Virgina we use state-of-the-art diagnosing of periodontal disease including comprehensive full mouth exams with a licensed dentist and microbial swabs examined under high powered microscopy.  Regardless of the dentist you choose, diagnosis of periodontal disease should be included at every patient exam.  At Dental Health Center of Northern Virgina, when indicated, we perform a gentle swab of the bacterial infested plaque occurring on teeth and examine the swab under a high powered microscope.  This enables us to see the bacterial composition occurring in your gums.  We can determine not only whether the infectious bacteria exists  in your mouth but also the severity of the infection, indicating how advanced your periodontal disease may be.  

Upon a positive diagnosis of periodontal disease at Dental Health Center of Northern Virgina we schedule our own unique time-tested non-surgical periodontal therapy.  

Questions about Microscopic Health Screenings?

Call today for a complimentary consultation and screening! 703-462-8800

Visit our FAQs page for more information!