What You Should Know About Gum Disease?
Did you know that even if you brush and floss as recommended by your dentist that you are still at risk for periodontal disease? Although a twice-daily oral hygiene routine is the best thing you can do at home to keep gum disease at bay, there’s an additional step that needs to be incorporated into your oral health care: preventive dentistry.
Preventive dentistry includes visiting a dentist near you twice a year for professional cleaning and a comprehensive dental exam once a year. During these appointments, dentists and hygienists will detect early signs of periodontal concerns and treat them before they become larger issues.
Early Treatment is the Best Treatment
Why is it to your benefit to receive early diagnosis and treatment? Early treatment most often includes deeper professional cleanings, while delayed treatment may include oral surgery. When early gum disease progresses to periodontitis, treatment will move beyond scaling and root planning to include gum grafts and other invasive regenerative procedures.
Symptoms to Look For
Every patient will have different concerns regarding their symptoms of gum disease. Here are a few of the most common symptoms that you may notice at home concerning your oral health:
- Tooth sensitivity
- Red or swollen gums
- Bleeding gums when you brush or floss
- Tartar buildup at the base of your teeth that you can see or feel with your tongue
- Bad breath
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s recommended that you make an appointment for a comprehensive exam and dental cleaning.
What to Expect During Your Exam
During your exam, our dentists will be able to diagnose gum disease. Their goal is to reverse it; however, the disease may further degrade gum tissue and bone after the condition advances past the point of reversal. These two conditions may result in tooth loss as well as the cost and inconvenience of tooth replacement.
The Takeaway
Don’t ignore early signs of gum disease. Ignoring your symptoms will only increase the possibility of advanced gum disease and the need for more invasive treatment.