Periodontal Disease: The Important Facts Each Patient Needs To Know
Safeguarding your smile requires more work than just making sure your teeth are pearly and well-aligned. Your gums are a crucial aspect of your dental health, as well as your general well-being. Because most individuals may think their gums are healthy, they are usually startled when they are informed of a problem. Gum disease, also referred to as periodontal disease, is an oral condition that deteriorates the gums that surround the teeth, and its symptoms generally occur without pain. Multiple studies have shown a connection among gum disease and different health issues, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, strokes, and some cancers, as well as tooth loss.
However, we have exciting news: Gum disease can be prevented with professional oral care. The most effective method to prevent gum disease is to receive dental care from experienced dental practitioners, like the staff at MINT dentistry in Spring. Our practitioners have extensive knowledge and training in the area of periodontal dentistry to diagnose various conditions and treat gum disease.
THE MAIN POINTS YOU SHOULD UNDERSTAND ABOUT PERIODONTAL DISEASE
Frequently called gum disease, periodontal disease is characterized as an infection of the gum tissue. Your gumline is the fleshy tissue that serves to secure your teeth in their appropriate placements. Bad oral care could lead a fuzzy-feeling substance known as plaque to collect and solidify along the gum tissue. Even though toothbrushing and flossing can remove some of the problem, plaque that's not cleared up will turn into tartar and stick onto your enamel. Only a thorough cleaning performed by a dentist or dental assistant can totally eliminate tartar.
While collecting on the enamel, tartar and plaque work as a pair to cause a moderate type of gum disease that we call gingivitis. Gingivitis forms when plaque builds up on teeth and encourages the nearby gumline to become inflamed. Plaque produces toxins that cause damage to the gums, leading them to become tender and swollen and, often, leading to bleeding.
If gum disease worsens with no care, more serious levels of periodontal disease might cause sensitive and bleeding gum tissue, uncomfortable chewing, and, potentially, missing teeth. That’s why it's critical to diagnose and address periodontal disease before the damage travels around your mouth.
GUM DISEASE INDICATORS TO BE AWARE OF
Properly functioning gums are slightly yielding, pinkish, and fit comfortably around each tooth. The earliest symptoms of gum disease are frequently difficult to detect by the average adult. It is important to arrange routine sessions with our dental professionals at MINT dentistry in Spring. Our dentists will work to detect the initial warning signs of periodontal disease during routine teeth cleanings and dental exams. Symptoms of unhealthy gums include puffiness, discoloration, sensitivity, bleeding, separation from the tooth, extra spaces between your teeth, bad breath, missing teeth, uncomfortable biting, and changes in your alignment.
PATIENTS WITH GUM DISEASE HAVE ACCESS TO SEVERAL INNOVATIVE TREATMENT OPTIONS
When patients reach the more progressive phases of periodontal disease, they may need surgical treatments. Our dental practitioners in Spring, TX offer a variety of advanced gum therapies, such as gum grafts, gingival flap surgery, and others.
Periodontal disease frequently causes the gumline to regress, which will reveal a portion of the tooth's roots. To restore the gum tissue, our dental professionals may offer a gum graft procedure. Usually, self-donated connective tissue is implemented to complete this service. The donor gum tissue is removed from the palate and moved to your gums, which minimizes the root exposure.
Gum surgery will often benefit individuals in Spring, TX who have late-stage periodontitis. Depending on the stage of your periodontal disease, there are a few methods we could implement: gingival flap surgery, gingivectomy, or gingivoplasty. Gingival flap surgery moves the gumline away from the teeth to uncover the tooth roots and permit our dental practitioner to gauge your situation. Once this is done, we will do a deep cleaning to clear away plaque and some damaged tissue. The relocated tissue is then repositioned and sutured back into the right place. Meanwhile, a gingivectomy removes and alters a portion of the badly diseased tissue. This procedure is commonly reserved for people whose situation is more intense. Finally, a gingivoplasty is considered an aesthetic dental service that enhances and reshapes the affected gum tissues after your periodontal disease has been addressed to create a more natural look.
EVADE PERIODONTAL DISEASE UTILIZING THESE SIMPLE RULES
The most effective method to prevent gum disease is to practice a good at-home oral care routine. Following this general checklist could help ensure that your gorgeous smile lasts for years to come:
Flossing your pearly whites is essential for your best oral wellness.
Flossing no less than one time daily is necessary to help eliminate plaque that may be trapped in between your teeth. Brushing your teeth is a vital part of your oral health routine. However, doing so every day still can't target every area.
Individuals should clean their teeth at least two times daily.
People who brush their teeth after eating help to eliminate tartar and bacteria stuck in between their gum tissue and teeth. It's also essential not to forget about your tongue. Gently utilize your brush to scrub your tongue, as this could eliminate excess bacteria.
Use toothpaste and mouthwash with fluoride.
It can be difficult to figure out which oral health products are the best. When browsing, look for a fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash. If utilized in tandem, the two oral products can delay how long it takes for bacteria and tartar to thicken on the enamel.
Strive to see your dentist two times each year.
Plan consultations with your dental practitioner two times each year for dental health exams and professional cleanings. Oral checkups enable the staff at MINT dentistry in Spring to discover issues like periodontal disease when they initially show up. For men and women with dental anxieties, our Spring, TX office provides several sedation options to settle your nerves. This way, you can receive your exams and professional cleanings without difficulty.
Stop your tobacco use.
Those who use tobacco products (including chewing, smoking, or vaping) are at a higher risk to develop periodontal disease and certain cancers. Tobacco usage affects your immune system, making it less easy for your body to fend off bacteria and bounce back later on.
SAVE YOUR GUMLINE FROM DISEASE AND DETERIORATION
Effective dental care is critical in the war against periodontal disease. Choose a dentist you trust, and be sure to check in at their office every six months for oral assessments and professional cleanings. At MINT dentistry in Spring, our dentists are capable of preventing, diagnosing, and treating periodontal disease and countless other oral health issues. Call our facility to set up a visit and begin your path toward your best dental health.