Have you ever wondered why you should visit your dentist regularly? Have you ever thought that you might have a problem with your gums? Well, it could be gum disease.
If you’re not familiar with the symptoms of gum disease, let’s say that it’s one of the most common dental problems that plague people around the world. And if left untreated, gum disease can have serious health consequences, such as tooth loss and infection. But there are ways to determine if you’re experiencing gum disease before it turns into something much more severe.
So how do you know if you have gum disease? What are some signs that you may have gum disease? Well, there are a few things that your dentist will look for. Let’s say that if you’re experiencing any of these signs, you should make an appointment with your dentist immediately.
Symptoms Of Gum Disease
Gum Disease Symptoms include:
Bleeding Gums
If you have a bleeding problem, it could be because of gum disease. If you want to reduce the risk of getting any oral health problems, you need to make sure that your gums are healthy. If you see a lot of blood when you brush or floss, you should talk to your dentist. They will tell you if there is something that needs to be done.
Swollen Gums
Gingivitis is a common form of gum disease characterized by swollen, red, or inflamed gums. This is usually a sign that plaque has built up on your teeth and has started to calcify. If your dentist suspects you have gingivitis, they may be able to treat you with a deep cleaning or antibiotic treatment. However, ignoring your symptoms for an extended period can lead to periodontitis, resulting in tooth loss and infection in other parts of your body.
Painful Gums
It’s possible to have gum disease and not feel any pain, but most cases of gum disease result in soreness. You may have plaque buildup if you notice your gums are sensitive or painful to the touch after flossing or brushing. However, if you can explain the source of the pain, such as a piece of food lodged between your teeth, there may be no need to be concerned.
Sensitive Gums
It may simply be a sign of sensitive teeth if your teeth are sensitive to hot or cold foods. It can, however, be a sign of gingivitis. The gums become inflamed when gum disease develops. Teeth can protrude outwards due to this, causing heat and cold sensitivity. Make an appointment with your Edina dentist every time you have a tooth or gum sensitivity.
Bad Breath
Gum disease can be detected by bad breath that lasts longer than two weeks. Food particles can remain in your mouth if you don’t floss and brush your teeth properly daily. These foods will feed mouth bacteria, resulting in bad breath and plaque buildup. This plaque can irritate your gums, leading to the development of gum disease. Bad breath is usually one of the first signs of gum disease.
Gum disease is a serious condition with long-term health implications. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with an Edina dentist right away. The importance of early detection and treatment in preventing more serious gum infections,later on, cannot be overstated.
Gum Disease Treatments
Gum disease can be treated surgically or non-surgically, depending on the severity of the disease and the patient’s preferences.
Non-surgical:
Antibiotics and tooth scaling and root planing, a non-surgical deep-cleaning procedure that removes tartar and plaque below the gum line, are two non-surgical options for treating gum diseases.
Although some limited research suggests that lasers can be used in addition to tooth scaling and root planning to increase the procedure’s effectiveness, there is insufficient evidence to recommend a specific wavelength or type of laser for the treatment of gum diseases.
Surgical:
Procedures to reduce pockets at the gum line, procedures to regenerate lost bone and tissue, flap surgery, procedures to remove excess gum tissue to expose more of the tooth surface, and procedures to graft soft tissue onto the gums to cover exposed bone and prevent tooth loss are all surgical treatments for gum diseases.
Regular dental checkups and professional dental cleanings are important for successfully treating any gum disease. Also, if you smoke, give it up. Tobacco use can interfere with gum disease recovery and increase the likelihood of recurrence.
Quick Facts About Gum Disease
Because there appears to be some misunderstanding about the significance of treating gum disease, the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) has published the following gum disease facts.
Bleeding gums are a big deal.
Bleeding gums are a serious sign of gum disease and should be treated soon as possible. Schedule an appointment with a dental professional if you notice this symptom.
Flossing every day is important.
As part of a comprehensive dental plan, diligent oral hygiene, including daily flossing, aids in treating and preventing gingivitis.
Visiting a periodontist is scary for you.
- Periodontal disease is an infection of the gum and teeth caused by bacteria trapped in plaque and saliva.
- The disease is characterized by a bacterial infection of the tissue that holds your teeth in place. In this, the gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets, which become infected. As the gum continues to separate from the tooth surface, bone loss can occur due to the resorption of supportive structures around the roots of teeth and possible infection of the bone itself.
- Even if you have advanced gum disease, you should still see a periodontist, a dentist specializing in gum disease. They have the most up-to-date treatments and technologies for treating advanced gum disease.
How To Prevent Gum Disease
While you may be aware that poor oral hygiene is a common cause of gum disease, you may not know how to treat gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease. It is fairly simple to help treat and prevent it if caught early by getting your oral hygiene routine back on track.
Did you know that one out of every two American adults has gingivitis? Learning how to treat gingivitis and disseminating this knowledge can help reduce the prevalence of gum disease in the United States. Here are a few easy ways to prevent gingivitis.
Brush Twice a Day:
- As recommended by your dentist, brushing twice a day can go a long way toward preventing gingivitis. Crest Gum and Sensitivity clean more areas of your mouth and along your gum line while treating sensitivity at the source. Alternatively, brushing with Crest Gum Detoxify Deep Clean can gently neutralize plaque bacteria around the gum line, an area critical to your oral health.
Floss Every Day:
- Flossing can help stop gingivitis progression by removing plaque and food particles. It’s very important to floss your teeth at least once every day. It will help you to keep your teeth clean and healthy. The way that you floss is very important because it has to be done correctly.
- There are different kinds of flosses available, and you can choose which one to use. You should know that some brands of floss are more effective than others. Choose the best one that you can get for the price. You need to know a few things when flossing your teeth.
- First, you have to make sure that you use enough floss. Also, don’t just wrap it around the tooth. You should also floss below the gum line, under the tooth, and between the teeth. You should always use fresh floss to prevent the bacteria from developing. If you don’t, the bacteria will grow and cause bad breath.
Give Up Tobacco:
- Because smoking is thought to be responsible for nearly 75% of periodontal diseases in adults, quitting is an excellent way to help prevent gingivitis. Tobacco use causes gum tissue damage, leading to receding gums and an increased risk of gum disease.
Fluoride Toothpaste:
- Use high fluoride toothpaste or Antibacterial rinse approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). Fluoride builds strong teeth and prevents decay from forming on your natural teeth. In addition, it helps protect teeth from further damage caused by acid erosion, which occurs when foods containing acids are left on the tooth surface for a long time. The acid in these foods tends to weaken the tooth, making it decay faster.
Regular Dental Checkups:
- Visits to your dentist for checkups and cleanings twice a year should be part of your gum disease treatment plan. Take advantage of this opportunity to speak with your dentist about products that can help treat gum disease.
Healthy Living:
- Aside from regular oral care, you can help treat gum disease by eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Other aspects of a healthy lifestyle, such as quitting smoking and exercising regularly, are also important in preventing gum disease.
Conclusion
In conclusion, gum disease is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. It can affect your teeth and gums. And it can cause bone loss and even tooth loss. If you have gingivitis or periodontitis, or if you’ve had it for a long time, you might be at risk of developing gum disease. Fortunately, there are ways you can prevent and treat gum disease. These simple tips can help keep your mouth healthy and prevent gum disease away.