Periodontal Disease: The Major Facts Every Adult Should Recognize
Protecting your smile involves more effort than just making sure your teeth are shiny and well-aligned. The gums are an integral part of your dental health, in addition to your general wellbeing. Because the majority of local residents might think their gums are in good condition, they are typically startled if they are alerted to a problem. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a harmful condition that deteriorates the gums around a patient's teeth. The disease's symptoms generally occur without discomfort. A number of tests have shown a link with periodontal disease and various health issues, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, strokes, and forms of cancer, as well as tooth loss.
However, we have excellent news: Periodontal disease can be prevented with comprehensive dental care. The most effective method to avoid gum disease is to receive dental care from credentialed dental practitioners, like the dentists at MINT dentistry in Mesquite. Our doctors have extensive knowledge and expertise in the area of periodontal dentistry to discover a number of conditions and manage gum disease.
THE PRIMARY POINTS YOU SHOULD UNDERSTAND ON THE SUBJECT OF GUM DISEASE
Sometimes referred to as gum disease, periodontal disease is characterized as an infection in the gums. Your gumline is the pink-colored tissue that works to secure your teeth in their appropriate placements. Bad dental care will often cause a fuzzy-feeling substance known as plaque to collect and harden around the gum tissue. Although toothbrushing and flossing might reduce a portion of the bacteria, plaque that's not eliminated will turn into tartar and settle onto your enamel. Only a professional cleaning provided by a dentist or dental hygienist can completely eliminate tartar.
When accumulating on the teeth, tartar and bacteria work in tandem to cause the beginning form of periodontal disease that we call gingivitis. Gingivitis arises as plaque collects on teeth and prompts the nearby gums to become red and puffy. Plaque produces toxins that negatively affect your gum tissues, causing them to become tender and puffy and, generally, causing bleeding.
If periodontal disease advances without care, more serious phases of gum disease might result in painful and bleeding gum tissue, problems chewing, and, potentially, missing teeth. That’s why it's important to detect and treat periodontal disease before it travels throughout your mouth.
PERIODONTAL DISEASE SIGNS TO BE AWARE OF
Healthy gums are taut, pink, and fit securely around your teeth. The primary indicators of periodontal disease are often difficult to identify by the average patient. It is critical to arrange routine visits with our dentists at MINT dentistry in Mesquite. We can detect the early markers of gum disease during routine cleanings and dental examinations. Symptoms of infected gums include swelling, discoloration, sensitivity, bleeding, detachment from the tooth, new spaces around your teeth, halitosis, missing teeth, problems biting, and inconsistencies with your dental alignment.
PEOPLE WITH GUM DISEASE COULD BENEFIT FROM A VARIETY OF ADVANCED CARE SOLUTIONS
As individuals reach the later degrees of periodontal disease, they could require surgical treatments. The dental professionals in Mesquite, TX offer a number of advanced gum therapies, namely gum grafts, gingival flap surgery, and more.
Periodontal disease regularly causes the gumline to regress, which will expose part of the roots of the teeth. To revive the gums, our dental professionals may offer a gum graft treatment. In many cases, self-donated connective tissue is implemented to carry out this treatment. The grafted sample is excised from the palate and reattached to your gums, which minimizes the root exposure.
Gum surgery could help patients in Mesquite, TX with severe periodontitis. Depending on the stage of your periodontal disease, there are three methods we may implement: gingival flap surgery, gingivectomy, or gingivoplasty. Gingival flap surgery repositions the gums away from the teeth to reveal the tooth roots and permit our dental practitioner to assess your condition. From there, our dentist will do a scaling and root planing treatment to clear away tartar and excess infected tissue. The loose gum tissue is then moved and sutured back into the correct location. Meanwhile, a gingivectomy removes and reshapes a portion of the severely diseased gum tissue. This procedure is usually done for those whose condition is more severe. Lastly, a gingivoplasty is considered an aesthetic dental service that enhances and readjusts your gum tissue once your periodontal disease has been taken care of to create a more attractive appearance.
PREVENT GUM DISEASE BY IMPLEMENTING THESE SIMPLE MEASURES
The best way to prevent gum disease is to practice a good at-home oral hygiene routine. Following this comprehensive set of rules may help ensure that your shining smile lasts a long time:
Flossing is crucial for your best oral health.
Flossing your teeth no less than once each day is necessary to help remove plaque that could be trapped between your teeth. Brushing your teeth is a required part of your oral health routine, but it still won't target every crevice.
Individuals must brush their teeth a minimum of twice daily.
Men and women who brush their teeth after eating help to eliminate tartar and food particles packed in between their gums and teeth. It's equally crucial not to overlook your tongue. It's good to use your toothbrush to cleanse your tongue — doing so can reduce excess bacteria.
Purchase toothpaste and mouthwash with fluoride.
It can be hard to figure out which dental regimen products are the best. When shopping, look for a fluoride-containing toothpaste and mouth rinse. When implemented jointly, the two oral products will delay how long it takes for bacteria and tartar to harden on the enamel.
Make it a goal to visit your dental care provider two times yearly.
Arrange one-on-ones with your dental care provider twice every year for dental health exams and professional cleanings. Annual checkups enable the staff at MINT dentistry in Mesquite to identify problems like gum disease when they first appear. To help individuals with dental fears, our Mesquite, TX office implements numerous sedation options to ease your nerves. This way, you can have your examinations and cleanings without difficulty.
Forego tobacco products.
Individuals who consume tobacco products (such as dipping, cigarettes, or vaping) are more likely to wind up with gum disease and oral cancer. Tobacco usage affects the immune system. This can make it less easy on your body to fight off bacteria and bounce back afterward.
SHIELD YOUR GUMS FROM DAMAGE AND RECESSION
Preventive oral treatment is essential for the war against periodontal disease. Look for a dentist you trust, and make sure to visit their office two times a year for follow-ups and cleanings. At MINT dentistry in Mesquite, our dental professionals are skilled at preventing, identifying, and eliminating periodontal disease, in addition to countless other periodontal wellness issues. Call our team to set up a visit and begin your path toward ideal oral health.