25 Nov The Onset and Progression of Periodontal Disease
Dental disease most often gets a grip through the absence of a good daily hygiene regimen and missing those important visits with the dentist every six months for a thorough cleaning and dental exam. When neglect to dental care occurs, there are usually signs of trouble.
Quite often red swollen gums are present. Unprovoked bleeding gums are another indicator. Gums can bleed when using a hard bristle tooth brush and too much pressure when brushing. Try switching to a soft bristle brush and a softer technique. Or acquire an electronic toothbrush. You merely guide the tooth brush and let it do all the work. Most come with a timer so another advantage is having that recommended two minutes to brush signaled rather than guessing how long you’ve brushed.
If gums continue to appear red (healthy gum tissue is pink and firm) or bleeding persists, it is time for a dental exam.
Chronic bad breath is often another sign that you may be suffering from gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease. Bad breath can result from eating or drinking strong consumables, but when mouthwash or a breath mint do not work, you may be dealing with gum disease. Your dentist should be consulted to diagnose and provide treatment.
If gum tissue appears to be pulling away from teeth or if teeth feel loose, you probably are experiencing the onset of periodontal disease. All of your teeth do not need to be involved to experience gum disease. It could be one tooth, a quadrant, or more that may be affected.
When a visit to the dentist brings a diagnosis of gum disease, there are different treatments your dental provider can perform to restore your dental health.
Depending on the severity and progression of your condition, root planing and scaling may bring a good result. This is a “deep” cleaning where the dentist goes beneath the surface of the teeth and removes all plaque from the roots of affected teeth. The roots are then smoothed over to help prevent bacteria from getting trapped going forward.
More difficult cases may require more extensive treatment including surgery to remove bacteria causing infection, coupled with antibiotics. In severe cases, tooth extraction may be required.
The correct daily hygiene habits of brushing and flossing coupled with twice yearly dental cleanings should prevent the onset of gum disease.
Contact Aesthetic Dental Partners at 210-616-0858 to reserve your appointment today.