It’s important to keep teeth healthy not just so you can have a beautiful smile, but so basic tasks like chewing and drinking are easy to perform. However, not enough people consider how important gums truly are to oral health. It’s one thing to have healthy teeth, but if your gums aren’t able to hold teeth in place, it doesn’t matter how healthy your teeth are.
If gum disease develops far enough, it can become permanent, making your life more difficult. That’s why your dentist is writing about gum disease in Vera and when it’s time to get treated.
What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is an inflammatory infection of gum tissue and bone that surrounds the teeth. The main cause of gum disease is an accumulation of dental plaque and tartar along the gum line. In the first stage of gum disease, toxins from bacteria attack gum tissue, which triggers irritation and bleeding. In the second stage, this condition worsens and turns into periodontitis.
While subtle improvements to your oral care routine and additional dental visits can treat the early stages of gum disease, periodontitis is permanent. This means it cannot be cured, but only managed for life.
What are the Signs and Symptoms?
Gum disease is often regarded as the “silent killer” due to it’s lack of symptoms. By the time you notice any of the following, chances are you already have the first stage of gum disease. Fortunately, gingivitis is reversible, but only if you recognize the symptoms and get treatment from your dentist in Vera as soon as possible. Common symptoms of gum disease include:
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Bleeding gums, particularly when flossing or brushing
- Loose teeth or teeth that appear longer
- Receding gums
- A bad taste or odor in your mouth, even after brushing
- Changes in how your teeth come together when biting
- Changes in how dentures fit
- Painful chewing
Healthy gums should look light pink, should not feel sensitive to touch, and look tight against your mouth. If you haven’t flossed in a long time and notice blood when flossing, it’s likely that gum disease isn’t present. Just make sure bleeding isn’t a regular thing when practicing oral care.
Why is Treatment So Important?
If you don’t seek treatment, the chances of your teeth staying in your mouth go down significantly. As bacterial plaque hardens and turns into its more calcified form, tartar, pockets will begin to form in between your gums and teeth. This creates more room for toxins to get trapped into.
Eventually, these toxins will start attacking the bone and connective tissue that support teeth. Once deteriorated, teeth will eventually begin to fall out, requiring expensive restorative treatments like dentures or dental implants to fix.
Don’t let gum disease sneak up on you or your loved ones. Schedule an appointment with your dentist today to confirm your gums are healthy!
About the Author
Dr. Cedric Chenet earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Howard University. He offers periodontal therapy and dental cleanings to help patients fight gum disease and prevent the permanent damage that affects millions of people every day. To learn more about his preventive and periodontal treatment, contact him through his website.