Gum Disease: The Important Signs Any Adult Must Recognize
Protecting your smile takes more effort than making sure your teeth are polished and well-aligned. The gums are a vital aspect of your dental health, in addition to your general wellness. Since most patients might believe their gums are in good condition, they are usually surprised if they discover bad news. Gum disease, also referred to as periodontal disease, is a progressive disorder that impacts the gums around a patient's teeth. The disease's symptoms often occur without pain. A number of studies have shown a link that relates periodontal disease and different health issues, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, strokes, and specific cancers, as well as tooth loss.
Despite this, there is welcome news: Gum disease can be evaded with proper dental care. The most important method to avoid gum disease is to get oral care from experienced dental professionals, like the dentists at MINT dentistry in Woodlands. Our doctors have comprehensive know-how and training in the area of periodontal dentistry to detect a number of concerns and treat gum disease.
THE BASIC FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ON THE SUBJECT OF GUM DISEASE
Frequently called gum disease, periodontal disease is known as an infection in the gums. The gumline is the fleshy tissue that works to secure your teeth in their ideal positions. Improper dental care can cause a fuzzy-feeling substance known as plaque to gather and solidify around the gum tissue. While brushing and flossing may remove some of the buildup, plaque that's not cleaned away will become tartar and stick onto your enamel. Only a thorough cleaning provided by a dental practitioner or dental professional can totally remove tartar.
While left on the enamel, tartar and bacteria operate alongside one another to bring about a mild type of periodontal disease that we call gingivitis. Gingivitis comes about as plaque gathers on teeth and prompts the nearby gum tissue to become red and puffy. Plaque produces toxins that cause damage to the gums, making them inflamed and swollen and, generally, leading to bleeding.
If periodontal disease evolves with no management, more damaging levels of periodontal disease might lead to sore and bleeding gum tissue, issues with chewing, and, possibly, tooth loss. That’s why it's essential to detect and manage gum disease before the bacteria spreads throughout your mouth.
GUM DISEASE RED FLAGS TO BE AWARE OF
The ideal gums are slightly yielding, pink, and fit snugly around your teeth. The earliest indicators of periodontal disease are often hard to identify by the typical person. It is vital to arrange routine checkups with our dentists at MINT dentistry in Woodlands. Our dentists can determine the early warning signs of gum disease during routine teeth cleanings and dental checkups. Symptoms of infected gums include puffiness, discoloration, sensitivity, bleeding, separation from the tooth, excess spaces around your teeth, halitosis, loose teeth, uncomfortable chewing, and differences with your alignment.
INDIVIDUALS WITH GUM DISEASE CAN RECEIVE A VARIETY OF ADVANCED TREATMENT OPTIONS
When people reach the more severe phases of periodontal disease, they could need surgical procedures. Our dentists in Shenandoah, TX provide many surgical gum treatments, in particular, gum grafting, gingival flap surgery, and more.
Gum disease typically forces the gum tissue to diminish, which will reveal a section of the tooth's roots. To revive your gums, our doctors may offer a gum graft procedure. In many cases, self-donated connective tissue is used to carry out this service. The grafted tissue is removed from the palate and reinstated into your gums, which will address the root exposure.
Gum surgery should benefit patients in Shenandoah, TX with progressive periodontitis. Based on the degree of your condition, there are three techniques we could use: gingival flap surgery, gingivectomy, or gingivoplasty. Gingival flap surgery shifts the gumline away from the tooth to show the roots and enable our dentist to assess your condition. Once this is done, we will do a deep cleaning to remove tartar and any damaged tissue. The separated gum tissue is then moved and sutured back into the correct location. Meanwhile, a gingivectomy removes and reshapes a portion of the significantly diseased tissue. This procedure is mostly saved for people whose situation is more severe. Lastly, a gingivoplasty is, at times, a cosmetic dental surgery that enhances and repositions your gums once your periodontal disease has been dealt with to create a more attractive look.
EVADE GUM DISEASE WITH THESE SIMPLE HABITS
The most proper way to prevent gum disease is to build up a good home-based oral hygiene routine. Following this helpful checklist could help guarantee that your beautiful smile stays healthy for many years:
Flossing your teeth is necessary for excellent oral care.
Flossing no less than once every day is necessary to help clear away food particles that could be stuck between your teeth. Brushing your teeth is a vital part of your oral wellness routine, but it still won't reach every crevice.
Patients should clean their teeth no less than twice each day.
Patients who clean their teeth after mealtimes help to eliminate tartar and food particles trapped in between their gums and teeth. It's also critical not to overlook the tongue. You should utilize your soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub your tongue — doing so can get rid of excess bacteria.
Find toothpaste and mouthwash with fluoride.
Men and women alike find it challenging to know which oral regimen products are the best. When browsing, choose a fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash. If utilized in tandem, the two products can delay how long it takes for bacteria and plaque to harden on the enamel.
Make sure you see your dentist twice each year.
Plan consultations with your dental care provider twice every year for dental health evaluations and cleanings. Annual checkups allow the staff at MINT dentistry in Woodlands to catch issues like gingivitis when they first occur. For those with dental fears, our Shenandoah, TX facility implements numerous sedation techniques to settle your nerves so you can have your exams and cleanings with ease.
Give up tobacco use.
Men and women who consume tobacco products (including dipping, cigarettes, or e-cigarettes) are at a higher risk to be diagnosed with periodontal disease and oral cancer. Tobacco consumption weakens your immune system, which makes it harder for your body to fend off diseases and recover later on.
SHIELD YOUR GUMS FROM DAMAGE AND DETERIORATION
Preventive dental care is vital for the battle against periodontal disease. Look for a dental professional you trust, and make sure to check in at their office every six months for examinations and professional cleanings. At MINT dentistry in Woodlands, our dentists are capable of preventing, detecting, and managing periodontal disease and numerous other dental health problems. Get in touch with our office to schedule a one-on-one and take off on your journey toward optimal oral health.