Here are a few alarming facts about gum disease you might not know:
Needless to say, we take gum health very seriously here at ProSmiles Dental & Orthodontics of White Settlement, which is why if you’re experiencing any redness, swelling, or sensitivity in your gums, we recommend you give us a call today to get the treatment you need!
The primary source of gum disease is the same as cavities: plaque. When plaque is allowed to build up along the gum line, this exposes the soft tissues of the mouth to bacteria, which can cause inflammation and damage. Typically, a lack of oral hygiene, tobacco use, or a genetic predisposition can all lead someone to develop gum disease. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits can often prevent this infection, but for patients who develop it, targeted care is absolutely necessary to keep it from significantly harming the smile.
Whenever you come in for a checkup and cleaning, we will carefully examine your teeth and your gums. They should always be a healthy pink color, but if we notice any redness or swelling, we’ll know that a patient might have early-stage gum disease.
Some other symptoms you should keep an eye out for include:
If you notice any of these on a regular basis, this is a clear sign that you have a gum infection and should come see us right away.
For patients dealing with gum disease, our first order of treatment will involve removing the damaging plaque and bacteria from along the gum line, which we’ll do using a procedure called scaling and root planing. Think of it as a dental cleaning that is solely focused on your gums and the roots of your teeth. Once we’ve broken up all of the plaque deposits, we’ll smooth out the roots of the teeth so plaque is less likely to gather around the gums and cause an infection in the future.
Infectious bacteria often like to accumulate in the small spaces located between the teeth and gums, which are called periodontal pockets. These can grow as an infection advances, putting some bacteria beyond the reach of a regular teeth cleaning. By applying a topical antibiotic to the gums, however, we can kill these well-hidden bacteria and restore a patient’s oral health. Afterward, we’ll recommend that a patient come to see us more regularly for dental cleanings to prevent reinfection.
Gum disease is incredibly common, but you may have some unanswered questions about the condition, so we’re here to help! Here are the answers to some of the most common queries we receive about gum disease in Fort Worth. If you don’t see the information that you’re looking for below, give us a call. We’d be happy to explain more and get you started with gum disease treatment if needed.
Most adults will experience some degree of bleeding from their gums at some point. If you are flossing for the first time in a while and notice a small amount of blood on the string, this isn’t usually something to be concerned about. Generally, it will go away a few days after you get back into the swing of your oral hygiene routine. However, if your gums are bleeding frequently or getting worse, this shouldn’t be ignored. Bring this up to your dentist so the right treatment steps can be taken to restore your gums to health.
Gingivitis can be prevented by keeping up a proper oral hygiene routine. This means brushing twice and flossing once a day. You should also be seeing your dentist for regular professional teeth cleanings and checkups. This way, your hygienist can clear away any plaque that you missed, and your dentist can keep an eye out for problem areas.
Gingivitis is the earliest sign of gum disease. It usually makes itself known as swollen, puffy, tender gums that bleed easily. Gingivitis can be reversed with proper at-home oral hygiene and by seeing your dentist for treatment. However, once you develop periodontitis, the most severe stage of gum disease, it cannot be reversed. If you have periodontitis, all your dentist can do is use treatments to control the infection. This can include cleaning the pockets around the teeth to prevent damage to the surrounding bone, antibiotics, and in advanced cases, surgery.
Your oral health is directly tied to your overall health. If you have a buildup of harmful bacteria in your mouth, this can spread to other places in the body and cause additional problems. Research shows that gum disease can increase your chances of experiencing other chronic conditions, like respiratory disease, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s. By addressing gum disease early on, you can reduce your risk of numerous other serious issues.
