Gum Disease: The Main Signs Each Individual Must Know
Taking care of your smile requires more effort than merely making sure your teeth are white and even. Your gums are a crucial aspect of your oral health, as well as your general wellness. Because most patients may believe their gums are healthy, they are usually startled if they are alerted to an issue. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a harmful disorder that deteriorates the gums that surround a patient's teeth. The disease's symptoms, for the most part, occur without discomfort. Multiple field observations have discovered an association that pairs periodontal disease and various health issues, such as diabetes, heart disease, strokes, and different cancers, as well as tooth loss.
Despite this, there is good news: Periodontal disease can be prevented with proper dental care. The most effective method to combat periodontal disease is to get oral care from credentialed dental professionals, like the team at MINT dentistry in Heights. Our doctors have many years' worth of know-how and training in the area of periodontal dentistry to identify a number of issues and treat gum disease.
THE MAIN POINTS YOU MUST UNDERSTAND REGARDING GUM DISEASE
At times referred to as gum disease, periodontal disease is, in simplest terms, an infection of the gum tissue. The gumline is the oral tissue that serves to hold your teeth in their correct placements. Bad oral hygiene could cause a sticky bacteria known as plaque to develop and harden along the gum tissue. While toothbrushing and flossing can remove a portion of the buildup, plaque that's not cleaned away will develop into tartar and settle onto your teeth. Only a biannual cleaning provided by a dentist or dental professional can totally get rid of tartar.
While sitting on the teeth, tartar and food particles operate as a pair to bring about a moderate type of periodontal disease known as gingivitis. Gingivitis occurs when plaque builds up on teeth and causes the surrounding gums to become red and puffy. Tartar creates toxins that cause damage to your gum tissues, leading them to become discolored and swollen and, often, leading to bleeding.
When periodontal disease continuously develops with no care, future stages of gum disease will often lead to painful and bleeding gum tissue, issues with chewing, and even tooth loss. That’s why it's vital to diagnose and treat periodontal disease before the bacteria travels throughout your other oral structures.
GUM DISEASE INDICATORS TO LOOK OUT FOR
Healthy gums are firm, pink, and fit comfortably around your teeth. The earliest indicators of periodontal disease are often hard to identify by the typical adult. It is critical to arrange routine sessions with our dentists at MINT dentistry in Heights. Our dentists can determine the tell-tale symptoms of periodontal disease during routine teeth cleanings and dental examinations. Signs of infected gums include swelling, redness, tenderness, bleeding, separation from the tooth, excess spaces between your teeth, halitosis, missing teeth, problems biting, and changes in your alignment.
INDIVIDUALS WITH PERIODONTAL DISEASE HAVE ACCESS TO NUMEROUS INNOVATIVE TREATMENT OPTIONS
When patients get to the more progressive phases of periodontal disease, they may require surgical treatments. The dentists in Houston, TX can perform a number of advanced gum therapies, including gum tissue transplanting, gingival flap surgery, and more.
Periodontal disease often forces the gumline to deteriorate, which will reveal a portion of the roots of the teeth. To address the gums, our dental practitioners may offer a gum grafting treatment. Commonly, your own connective tissue is used to carry out this operation. The grafted sample is excised from the roof of your mouth and reattached to your gums, which will address the root exposure.
Gum surgery should help people in Houston, TX who have severe periodontitis. Depending on the severity of your periodontal disease, there are a few methods we could use: gingival flap surgery, gingivectomy, and gingivoplasty. Gingival flap surgery shifts the gumline away from the enamel to gain access to the tooth roots and allow our dentist to measure your situation. When this is complete, we will perform a scaling and root planing treatment to clear out plaque and excess compromised tissue. The relocated gum tissue will then be addressed and stitched back into the correct place. Meanwhile, a gingivectomy removes and reshapes a section of the diseased gum tissue. This option is typically done for people whose gum disease is further along. Lastly, a gingivoplasty is considered an aesthetic dental procedure that enhances and reshapes your gum tissue when your gum disease has been managed to ensure a more natural appearance.
PREVENT GUM DISEASE WHEN YOU FOLLOW THESE EASY PRACTICES
The most ideal way to avoid periodontal disease is to build up a good oral health regimen. Following this convenient checklist could help ensure that your gorgeous smile lasts many years:
Flossing is essential for optimal dental care.
Flossing your teeth no less than once daily is necessary to help clear away tartar that may be packed in between your teeth. Brushing your teeth is a vital aspect of your oral care routine. However, it still can't really clean every area.
Adults and children should brush their teeth at least two times a day.
Patients who brush their teeth after eating help to eliminate tartar and food particles stuck in between their gums and teeth. It's just as crucial not to forget about the tongue. Gently use your brush to clean your tongue — doing so could eliminate leftover bacteria.
Find toothpaste and mouthwash that have fluoride.
Men and women alike find it hard to figure out which dental health products are the most effective. As you're shopping, pick a fluoride-based toothpaste and mouth rinse. When implemented jointly, the two products will slow how long it takes for germs and plaque to thicken on the enamel.
Make it a goal to see your dental practitioner twice a year.
Schedule one-on-ones with your dental care provider two times each year for dental health evaluations and professional cleanings. Annual evaluations allow the team at MINT dentistry in Heights to diagnose problems like gum disease when they initially show up. For men and women with dental anxieties, our Houston, TX office uses several sedation options to soothe your nerves so you can receive your exams and professional cleanings easily.
Quit your tobacco use.
Men and women who consume tobacco products (like chewing, cigarettes, or e-cigarettes) are at a higher risk to end up with periodontal disease and oral cancer. Tobacco consumption negatively impacts the immune system, which makes it tougher on your body to fight off infection and bounce back afterward.
GUARD YOUR GUMLINE FROM POTENTIAL DANGER AND DETERIORATION
Effective oral care is vital for the war against periodontal disease. Seek out a dental care provider you trust, and make sure to pay a visit to their office twice a year for dental exams and cleanings. At MINT dentistry in Heights, our dental professionals are capable of preventing, diagnosing, and getting rid of gum disease and numerous other dental wellness concerns. Get in touch with our facility today to set up a session and take off on your path toward optimal dental health.