Gum Disease: The Primary Facts Each Adult Should Recognize

Protecting your smile involves more work than ensuring that your teeth are bright and even. Your gums are an important part of your dental health, along with your general wellness. Since many individuals may believe their gums are in good condition, they are often surprised when they are told something else. Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is a harmful condition that deteriorates the gums that surround your teeth. The disease’s symptoms, for the most part, occur without discomfort. Several tests have shown a link with gum disease and other health concerns, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, strokes, and different cancers, including tooth loss.

However, we have great news: Gum disease can be avoided with comprehensive oral care. The most effective method to avoid periodontal disease is to seek out oral care from credentialed dental professionals, like the team at DentalWorks – Bloomingdale. Our doctors have extensive know-how and expertise in the area of periodontal dentistry to detect various concerns and treat gum disease.

THE MAIN POINTS YOU MUST KNOW CONCERNING GUM DISEASE

Sometimes called gum disease, gum disease is essentially an infection of the gumline. Your gumline is the oral tissue that works to keep your teeth in their appropriate placements. Ineffective oral care can lead a fuzzy-feeling substance known as plaque to build up and calcify around the gum tissue. Although toothbrushing and flossing could remove some of the buildup, plaque that’s not eliminated will become tartar and sit onto your enamel. Only an in-depth cleaning provided by a dentist or dental hygienist can properly get rid of tartar.

When gathered on the teeth, tartar and bacteria work together to cause a mild stage of periodontal disease called gingivitis. Gingivitis develops as plaque gathers on the enamel and encourages the surrounding gums to become inflamed. Bacteria produces toxins that irritate your gum tissues, which causes them to be sensitive and puffy and, typically, causing bleeding.

If periodontal disease continuously develops without treatment, future phases of gum disease can cause sensitive and bleeding gum tissue, problems chewing, and, potentially, missing teeth. That’s why it’s vital to detect and manage gum disease before the inflammation travels around your oral structures.

PERIODONTAL DISEASE SIGNS TO KNOW

Healthy gums should be stable, pink, and fit snugly around your teeth. The initial indicators of periodontal disease are generally hard to detect by the average adult. It is critical to set up routine consultations with the dentists at DentalWorks – Bloomingdale. Our dentists will work to determine the early signals of periodontal disease during bi-annual teeth cleanings and dental checkups. Signs of infected gums include swelling, redness, tenderness, bleeding, pulling away from the tooth, new spaces between your teeth, bad breath, loose teeth, problems biting, and changes in your alignment.

PATIENTS WITH PERIODONTAL DISEASE HAVE ACCESS TO MANY ADVANCED TREATMENT SOLUTIONS

When individuals get to the later stages of periodontal disease, they will usually require surgical solutions. The dental professionals in Bloomingdale, IL offer a variety of surgical gum treatments, in particular gum grafts, gingival flap surgery, and more.

Gum disease regularly causes the gums to regress, which will reveal a section of the tooth’s roots. To revive your gumline, our dental practitioners may provide a gum graft treatment. Most often, self-donated connective tissue is implemented for this operation. The donor gum tissue will be extracted from the palate and moved to your gumline, which minimizes the root exposure.

Gum surgery can benefit people in Bloomingdale, IL who have severe periodontitis. Depending on the phase of your condition, there is a selection of methods we can implement: gingival flap surgery, gingivectomy, or gingivoplasty. Gingival flap surgery shifts the gumline away from the tooth to show the roots and enable our dental practitioner to measure your condition. Following that, our dentist will do a deep cleaning to clear away tartar and any unsalvageable tissue. The separated gum tissue is then fixed and stitched in the right place. In contrast, a gingivectomy removes and alters a portion of the seriously diseased tissue. This procedure is mostly saved for people whose gum disease is further along. Finally, a gingivoplasty is considered a cosmetic dental operation that enhances and readjusts the surrounding tissues after your gum disease has been taken care of, reinstating their proper function and looking more attractive.

FIGURE OUT HOW YOU COULD AVOID GUM DISEASE BY IMPLEMENTING THESE EASY MEASURES

The most proper way to evade periodontal disease is to learn an excellent oral care routine. Following this helpful set of rules can help guarantee that your beautiful smile endures many years:

Flossing your pearly whites is important for excellent oral care.
Flossing your teeth at least one time a day might help eliminate plaque that could be stuck in between your teeth. Brushing your teeth is a needed part of a person’s oral health routine. However, this still might not target every crevice.

Men, women, teens, and children alike must clean their teeth at least twice daily.
Men and women who clean their teeth after breakfast, lunch, and dinner help to eradicate tartar and food particles lodged in between their gum tissue and teeth. It’s equally crucial to not disregard the tongue. Use your soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your tongue: Doing so might get rid of leftover bacteria.

Use toothpaste and mouth rinses that contain fluoride.
Many think it’s difficult to know which oral care products are the most beneficial. As you’re shopping, look for a fluoride-containing toothpaste and mouth rinse. When used in conjunction, the two dental products can impact the rate at which food particles and tartar to accumulate on the teeth.

Make sure you visit your dentist twice a year.
Schedule appointments with your dentist twice annually for a dental health assessment and cleaning. Oral examinations enable the staff at DentalWorks – Bloomingdale to catch issues like gum disease when they initially arise. To help patients with dental anxieties, our Bloomingdale, IL office uses many sedation techniques to ease your nerves. This way, you can receive your checkups and professional cleanings without difficulty.

Cease your tobacco use.
Adults who use tobacco products (including chewing, smoking, or vaping) are at a higher risk to develop gum disease and certain cancers. Tobacco usage negatively impacts your immune system. This can make it more difficult on your body to battle off bacteria and jump back later on.

GUARD YOUR GUMS FROM DISEASE AND RECESSION

Exceptional oral treatment is necessary in the battle against periodontal disease. Choose a dentist you trust, and make sure to visit their office two times a year for dental exams and professional cleanings. At DentalWorks – Bloomingdale, our dentists are capable of preventing, identifying, and improving gum disease, as well as countless other periodontal wellness issues. Get in touch with our staff today to set up an appointment and begin your journey toward exceptional oral health.