Gum Disease: The Core Facts Every Adult Should Recognize
Looking after your smile takes more work than only making sure your teeth are polished and well-aligned. The gums are a crucial factor in your oral health and your general wellbeing. Because the majority of patients might think their gums are healthy, they are usually surprised if they are told they have an issue. Gum disease, also referred to as periodontal disease, is a progressive condition that deteriorates the gums around the teeth, and its symptoms, for the most part, occur without discomfort. Many tests have discovered an association with periodontal disease and different health concerns, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, strokes, and different cancers, as well as tooth loss.
In spite of this, we have exciting news: Gum disease can be evaded with comprehensive dental care. The simplest way to prevent gum disease is to seek out dental care from credentialed dental practitioners, like the staff at MINT dentistry in Elmsworth. Our doctors have expansive knowledge and expertise in the area of periodontal dentistry to discover various concerns and treat gum disease.
THE PRIMARY FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT GUM DISEASE
Sometimes called gum disease, periodontal disease is an infection of the gum tissue. Your gumline is the pink-colored tissue that works to keep your teeth in their correct placements. Bad dental care could lead a fuzzy-feeling bacteria known as plaque to develop and calcify along the gum tissue. Although brushing and flossing should eliminate a portion of the bacteria, plaque that's not removed will become tartar and harden onto your teeth. Only a thorough cleaning provided by a dentist or dental hygienist can completely remove tartar.
While gathered on the teeth, tartar and food particles operate together to cause a moderate type of gum disease known as gingivitis. Gingivitis forms as plaque builds up on the enamel and leads the nearby gumline to become inflamed. Tartar produces toxins that irritate your gum tissues, causing them to become red and puffy and, generally, leading to bleeding.
When periodontal disease worsens with no management, future stages of periodontal disease may lead to sore and bleeding gums, issues with chewing, and, potentially, tooth loss. This is why it's important to diagnose and address periodontal disease before the inflammation travels throughout your mouth.
PERIODONTAL DISEASE SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR
Healthy gums should be slightly yielding, pinkish, and fit snugly around your teeth. The primary indicators of gum disease are often difficult to detect by the average person. It is important to arrange routine checkups with the dental team at MINT dentistry in Elmsworth. Our staff will work to detect the early markers of gum disease during biannual cleanings and dental exams. Signs of affected gums include swelling, bright red tissue, sensitivity, bleeding, disconnection from the tooth, excess spaces between your teeth, foul breath, missing teeth, problems chewing, and changes in your alignment.
PEOPLE WITH PERIODONTAL DISEASE COULD BENEFIT FROM A NUMBER OF SURGICAL CARE SOLUTIONS
As patients get to the more severe stages of gum disease, they can need surgical solutions. The dental practitioners in Houston, TX provide several advanced gum treatments, in particular, gum grafting, gingival flap surgery, and more.
Gum disease usually causes the gums to recede, which will expose a portion of the tooth's roots. To address the gumline, our doctors may perform a gum graft treatment. Typically, your own connective tissue is used to carry out this surgery. The grafted tissue will be borrowed from the upper part of your mouth and reattached to your gums, which minimizes the tooth root exposure.
Gum surgery should benefit people in Houston, TX who have severe periodontitis. Based on the degree of your condition, there is a selection of techniques we could incorporate: gingival flap surgery, gingivectomy, and gingivoplasty. Gingival flap surgery moves the gum tissue away from the enamel to expose the tooth roots and allow our dentist to evaluate your condition. Following that, we will perform a scaling and root planing treatment to clear out plaque and excess compromised tissue. The separated gum tissue will then be reshaped and sutured back into the right place. Meanwhile, a gingivectomy removes and alters a section of the significantly diseased tissue. This treatment is usually reserved for those whose condition has progressed. Finally, a gingivoplasty is, at times, a cosmetic dental treatment that improves and repositions your gum tissue when your gum disease has been managed to create a more attractive appearance.
PREVENT GUM DISEASE WITH THESE SIMPLE HABITS
The most proper method to avoid gum disease is to learn a good, consistent oral care regimen. Obeying this comprehensive checklist may help guarantee that your beautiful smile stays healthy a long time:
Flossing your teeth is crucial for your best oral health.
Flossing at least one time daily will help remove germs that might be wedged in between your teeth. Brushing your teeth is an important aspect of your oral wellness routine. Nonetheless it still won't really clean every crevice.
Adults and children need to brush their teeth no less than two times daily.
People who clean their teeth after eating help to eliminate plaque and buildup stuck in between their gums and teeth. It's equally crucial not to overlook the tongue. You should use your soft-bristled brush to cleanse your tongue, as this may get rid of excess bacteria.
Utilize toothpaste and mouth rinses with fluoride.
It's often hard to figure out which dental hygiene products are the most effective. As you're shopping, seek out a fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse. If used together, the two dental products will slow the time it takes for food particles and tartar to accumulate on the enamel.
Strive to visit your dentist two times yearly.
Schedule appointments with your dental care provider two times each year for oral health exams and cleanings. Dental examinations enable the dentists at MINT dentistry in Elmsworth to discover issues like gum disease when they first develop. To help patients with dental anxieties, our Houston, TX facility uses several sedation options to calm your nerves so you can have your assessments and professional cleanings easily.
Stop your tobacco use.
Those who use tobacco products (including dipping, cigars, or e-cigarettes) are more likely to develop gum disease and various cancers. Tobacco consumption negatively impacts the immune system, which makes it more difficult on your body to fend off harmful germs and bounce back afterward.
SAVE YOUR GUMS FROM POTENTIAL DANGER AND RECESSION
Efficient oral care is required in the battle against periodontal disease. Seek out a dentist you trust, and be sure to make appointments at their facility twice a year for follow-ups and cleanings. At MINT dentistry in Elmsworth, our team is skilled at preventing, detecting, and managing periodontal disease and several other oral health concerns. Call our practice today to set up a visit and take off on your journey toward excellent oral health.