What You Need To Know About Gum Disease
Gum disease is an infection of the tissues and bone that support your teeth. There are two common types of gum disease: gingivitis, which is the inflammation of the gums, and periodontitis, which involves bone loss around the teeth. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
How to Prevent Gum Disease
The very first and most important thing to know about gum disease is that it can be prevented through proper oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist.
What is Proper Oral Hygiene?
Taking care of your oral health is the very first step in preventing gum disease. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and flossing daily is essential to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Symptoms to Look Out for:
Gingivitis
Symptoms of gingivitis:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Gums that are bright red or purple
- Gums that are tender to the touch
- Gums that are swollen
- Gums that look shiny
- Mouth sores
- Bad breath
Periodontitis
Symptoms of periodontitis are similar to gingivitis symptoms but may also include the following:
- Pus between teeth and gums
- Loose teeth or teeth that fall out
- Painful chewing
- Spaces at the top/bottom of your teeth that look like black triangles
- Receding gums
- A misaligned bite
Contact us if you notice any of these symptoms. It may be nothing, but it is better to be safe rather than have to deal with advanced gum disease. Remember, the sooner we can treat it, the better the chance of reversing the damage done.
Treating Gum Disease
If caught early, gum disease can be treated and reversed. However, once it progresses and you suffer bone loss around the teeth, then it can only be managed through careful dental hygiene and treatment. The type of treatment needed will depend on the stage of the disease and your oral and general health.
If you think you recognize any of the symptoms mentioned above or you are worried about gum disease or any other oral health issues, give us a call. We can schedule an appointment here in our office located in Denton, MD. If you last saw us a while ago, remember to make an appointment to come in for a dental exam.
