Gum disease is very common in the United States, which often leads many to believe it is not as serious of a concern as it actually is. However, gum disease should be taken seriously, and learning more about it can help you determine why it is important to treat and prevent gum disease in order to maintain ideal oral health.
There are certain questions about gum disease that dentists often receive. These questions include insights into how gum disease develops, what the signs are, and how the disease can be prevented. This review discusses these questions and more and provides general answers from a dentist for each one.
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is a condition in which the gums and underlying jawbone become damaged by bacterial attacks. This causes the gums to weaken and become more susceptible to bleeding, discoloration, sensitivity, and erosion. Since gums and the jawbone (both of which are impacted by gum disease) are tasked with supporting teeth, this condition can contribute to the early loss of teeth if left untreated for an extended amount of time.
There are two primary types of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis. Both are serious and require treatment from a dental professional. However, periodontitis is a far more severe form of gum disease. In fact, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis if left untreated. Periodontitis displays more severe symptoms such as deep gum pockets, gum erosion, and loose (or lost) teeth.
Gum disease can develop from a variety of concerns. There are many aspects of oral hygiene, and a deficit in one area could significantly increase the likelihood of gum disease. In general, gum disease could be the result of an improper or irregular brushing and flossing routine, a diet that is high in carbohydrates (e.g., sugar), or infrequent visits to the dentist for a cleaning (or a combination of the three).
The signs of gum disease can present differently for each patient. For many patients, the early signs of gum disease are gum discoloration, swollen gums, and gums that bleed while brushing. If these signs develop, then it is important to visit the dentist to find out why these symptoms occur. If the early symptoms of gum disease are ignored or not properly dealt with, then it could lead to more severe symptoms such as deep gum pockets, loss of bone inside the jaw, and gum recession.
Of course, the best way to deal with gum disease is to prevent it from developing in the first place. This can often be done by making smart dietary choices, practicing good oral hygiene (i.e. brushing and flossing regularly), and making all scheduled check-up visits. It is also helpful to check for the early signs of gum disease often and notify the dentist if they develop.
There are several ways a dentist can treat gum disease. The recommended treatment plan largely depends on the type and severity. The most common types of gum disease treatment include a prescribed mouth rinse, improvements in the patient’s oral care routine at home, dietary and lifestyle changes, and a dental cleaning. For periodontitis, a more severe form of gum disease, the dentist may recommend a deep dental cleaning (also called a scaling and root planing procedure). A gum graft or pocket reduction surgery may be necessary for treating gum recession and/or deep gum pockets that are caused by gum disease.
As discussed, untreated gum disease could lead to more severe symptoms. The ultimate result for many patients with gum disease is the loss of teeth. Before this occurs, patients could experience increased teeth sensitivity due to the exposure of tooth roots that result from deep gum pockets or gum recession. Bone loss in the jaw could also occur, which could make teeth replacement more challenging. Subsequently, patients are strongly encouraged to visit the dentist for regular check-up visits and cleanings.
Here at our dental practice, we encourage our patients to come in once every four to six months for a check-up visit and dental cleaning. If it has been more than six months since your last cleaning visit, then contact our dental practice today to arrange a check-up and cleaning.
Are you considering gum disease treatment in the East Point area? Get more information at https://drjosephmurray.com.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Gum Disease in East Point, GA.
Are you wondering whether you can do anything to prevent gum disease? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), gum disease affects over half of all Americans over the age of 30.Early stages of gum disease, such as gingivitis, may be treated with a dental cleaning every six months and good oral…
Gum disease, also commonly referred to as periodontal disease, is an inflammation of the gums. It is caused by plaque, which is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that often forms on teeth. Gum disease usually causes tooth loss. It is often painless, so you may not even know you have it. Fortunately, gum disease…
Proper dental hygiene, including brushing, flossing, fluoride use, and regular dental examinations and cleanings, is necessary for more than just cosmetic reasons. One of the consequences of not taking good care of teeth and gums is gum disease, which is also called periodontal disease. There are three stages of this disease, and if it is…
Want to understand what gum disease can do to one’s mouth? Once someone is diagnosed with this oral disease, there are many ways it can cause them to experience bad overall dental health. Patients who are diagnosed can ask their general dentist any specific questions they have about preventing and treating gum disease, as prevention…
Adjusting to major changes in your mouth, like a partial denture for one missing tooth, is never really easy, but with a little preparation and some knowledge of the recovery path ahead, it is possible to have a smooth transition to partial dentures. If your partial denture is for a single missing tooth, the adjustment…
Sometimes it is necessary for young people to get dentures to replace most or all of their teeth. While many people regard denture-wearing as something that occurs as people get older, tooth loss can happen at any age.There are no age restrictions on dentures. If you are missing your natural teeth, dentures can give you…