Many people experience gum disease at certain points in their lives. Treating gum disease early will stop this condition in its tracks. Updating your dental hygiene habits along with regular visits to the dentist can help prevent subsequent problems from developing. Read on to learn more about the signs of gum disease, and how to determine whether you need periodontal treatment.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease means, quite simply, that your gums are infected, which can be at varying levels of severity. The primary factor in gum disease is your dental habits, including needing to brush and floss more often and to see the dentist more often for early detection of common dental problems.
The mildest gum disease is called gingivitis. Often, people with gingivitis might be lulled into a false sense of security because gingivitis may have few or no symptoms.
Left untreated, you can progress to periodontitis, where plaque begins to burrow under the gum line, raising the potential for bone infections. In such an instance, you’ll need more advanced periodontal treatment.
Gum disease isn’t exclusively the result of poor brushing habits. Some factors beyond our control, such as genetics, stress, and aging, can play a role. Also, stress, poor nutrition, pregnancy, and substance abuse all influence whether or not you might get gum disease.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
We all have occasional tooth pains, sometimes even bleeding gums. But, how do you know when you have gum disease?
Some of the symptoms that might prompt you to head for the dentist include:
- Swelling or puffiness
- Tenderness to the touch
- Bad breath
- Losing teeth or feeling them loosening
- Hard to chew
- Signs of pus
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing
Make an appointment to see your Bellaire dentist if you have one or many of these symptoms. The earlier you receive treatment for gum disease, the better chance of a good outcome.
The Best Medicine Is Prevention
Gum disease is often avoidable by practicing good dental hygiene. But what exactly does that mean?
First, it involves a routine regimen of brushing at least twice a day, if not at additional times, such as after you eat. The better you get at brushing, the more you’ll be able to reduce plaque or bacteria that cause problems. In addition to brushing, dentists say you should floss at least once per day.
The second building block of good hygiene is seeing your dentist for regular checkups, including dental cleanings. In general, once or twice a year may do the trick, but your dentist may wish to see you more frequently.
Finally, adjusting your diet can curb gum disease. Limit sugary, carbonated soft drinks and chewing on extra-hard foods such as candy.
Treating yourself for gum disease before you have to see the dentist is the best approach.
Get Treatment for Gum Disease at Splendid Dental Bellaire
Maintaining a healthy set of teeth and gums takes work. Sometimes, even with the best of intentions, gum disease can set in and trigger significant health problems. That’s when you should get treatment for gum disease. The experienced team of dental professionals at Splendid Dental Bellaire provides a broad array of general dentistry services, including the latest techniques in periodontal treatment. Once your gum disease is addressed, we can also provide preventive care in the form of annual exams and professional dental cleanings. Our team can also help in the unfortunate event of a dental emergency. Don’t wait until there’s a problem. Reach out to Splendid Dental Bellaire at 713-244-7797 for an appointment today.
