Gum disease is a common issue that affects patients of any age. The first stage of gum disease is called gingivitis, indicated by inflammation and redness in the gum tissue. Some may also experience some bleeding while brushing and flossing. Left untreated, gingivitis will progress into advanced periodontitis at which point irreparable damage may occur, including bone and tooth loss.
Identifying Gum Disease
Tender, puffy gum tissue is a sure indicator that something is amiss with your oral health. If you have ever noticed a pink tinge to your toothpaste when you spit in the sink after you brush and floss, your gums may be bleeding a little bit during your hygiene routine. If you have noticed any tenderness or swelling in your gum tissue, it is important to have an evaluation by your dentist as soon as you can to prevent the progression of gum disease. Left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis and advanced periodontitis, causing permanent damage to your gum tissue and jawbone.
Regular visits to your dentist for professional cleanings at least every six months will help make sure that any developing gum disease is caught as soon as possible. If you do have gingivitis or periodontitis, your hygienist may want to see you more frequently than twice a year to make sure everything stays healthy.
How Do I Cure Gum Disease?
The first step in combating gum disease is regular visits to the dentist. A simple cleaning may be all you need to get your gums back onto a healthy track. If a standard cleaning will not provide the desired results, you may be advised to have a deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing.
Scaling and root planing is a great way to eradicate infection in the gum pockets and help your mouth begin to heal. For this procedure, you will likely have two appointments, with half of your mouth being treated at each. Your hygienist will numb the area to be worked on with a local anesthetic so that they are able to clean well below the gum line into the gum pockets to remove tartar and bacteria buildup.
Orthodontic treatment is another treatment option for periodontal disease. Crooked teeth are harder to clean, so getting your teeth in proper alignment is better not only for your oral health but your overall health.
Preventing Gum Disease At Home
Once your dentist has provided the necessary treatment to bring your mouth back to a healthy state, it is important to keep it that way with good oral hygiene at home and regular professional cleanings. If you had a scaling and root planing, you will likely be advised to increase dental cleanings to three or four times a year instead of just twice. This is normal for patients with gum issues and ensures that your mouth remains healthy.
If you have any questions about flossing or brushing technique, it is important to bring these up to your dental hygienist. They are there to help you and can make sure that you are doing all you can at home to keep gum disease at bay.