Periodontal Disease: The Major Signs Every Person Must Know

Healthy Mouth, Healthy Life

Safeguarding your smile requires more effort than only making sure your teeth are shiny and well-aligned. Your gums are a vital factor in your oral health and your overall wellness. Because most men and women may believe their gums are in good condition, they are usually startled when they are notified of an issue. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an oral disorder that affects the gums that surround your teeth, and its symptoms typically occur without discomfort. Numerous tests have discovered an association among gum disease and other health concerns, like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, strokes, and different cancers, in addition to tooth loss.

Despite this, there is good news: Gum disease can be avoided with comprehensive dental care. The most important way to avoid gum disease is to seek out oral care from capable dental practitioners, like the dentists at MINT dentistry in Lake Highlands. Our doctors have comprehensive know-how and training in the field of periodontal dentistry to discover a number of conditions and treat gum disease.



THE BASIC FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW WHEN IT COMES TO GUM DISEASE

Also called gum disease, periodontal disease is essentially an infection of the gums. The gumline is the fleshy tissue that works to secure your teeth in their ideal positions. Improper dental care can cause a fuzzy-feeling bacteria known as plaque to collect and solidify along the gum tissue. While brushing and flossing should reduce some of the problem, plaque that's not cleared up will develop into tartar and cement onto your teeth. Only a thorough cleaning done by a dentist or dental assistant can completely remove tartar.

While sitting on the teeth, tartar and bacteria operate jointly to bring about the beginning stage of gum disease called gingivitis. Gingivitis occurs as plaque builds up on teeth and encourages the surrounding gum tissue to become red and puffy. Plaque creates toxins that impact the gums, causing them to become discolored and swollen and, generally, causing bleeding.

When periodontal disease advances without treatment, more serious phases of periodontal disease can lead to painful and bleeding gums, uncomfortable chewing, and, potentially, tooth loss. This is why it's important to detect and manage gum disease before infection travels throughout your other oral structures.

PERIODONTAL DISEASE ISSUES TO KNOW

Well-cared-for gums should be firm, pinkish, and fit securely around each tooth. The first symptoms of gum disease are usually difficult to identify by the average patient. It is essential to set up regular sessions with our dental team at MINT dentistry in Lake Highlands. Our dentists will work to determine the tell-tale signals of gum disease during regular cleanings and dental examinations. Symptoms of inflamed gums include puffiness, bright red tissue, sensitivity, bleeding, separation from the tooth, excess spaces around your teeth, bad breath, missing teeth, difficulty chewing, and differences with your alignment.

PATIENTS WITH PERIODONTAL DISEASE CAN RECEIVE NUMEROUS ADVANCED CARE OPTIONS

When people get to the more intense degrees of gum disease, they will usually require surgical procedures. The dental professionals in Dallas, TX offer a number of advanced gum treatments, in particular, gum grafting, gingival flap surgery, and more.

Periodontal disease typically causes the gum tissue to deteriorate, which will reveal part of the roots of the teeth. To address your gums, our dentists may offer a gum graft surgery. Typically, autografted connective tissue is used to carry out this surgery. The grafted tissue is excised from the palate and reattached to your gums, which minimizes the root exposure.

Periodontal surgery should help people in Dallas, TX with severe periodontitis. Depending on the degree of your condition, there are three techniques we could incorporate: gingival flap surgery, gingivectomy, or gingivoplasty. Gingival flap surgery shifts the gumline away from the enamel to show the roots and allow our dental practitioner to assess your situation. When this is complete, our dentist will do a deep cleaning to clear out tartar and excess infected tissue. The separated tissue will then be moved and stitched back into the right place. Meanwhile, a gingivectomy removes and remolds a section of the seriously diseased tissue. This option is typically reserved for people whose condition has progressed. Finally, a gingivoplasty is considered a cosmetic dental operation that improves and repositions your gum tissue once your gum disease has been taken care of to create a more attractive look.

AVOID GUM DISEASE WHEN YOU FOLLOW THESE EASY STEPS

The most ideal way to evade gum disease is to discover an excellent, efficient oral care routine. Obeying this simple set of rules can help guarantee that your beautiful smile stays healthy for a long time:

Flossing your pearly whites is necessary for optimal oral care.
Flossing your teeth at least once every day is necessary to help remove plaque that might be stuck in between your teeth. Toothbrushing is an important part of your oral care routine. However, it still won't target every area.

Adults and children need to clean their teeth a minimum of twice each day.
People who clean their teeth after eating help to eliminate plaque and bacteria stuck in between their gums and teeth. It's also essential not to forget about the tongue. It's good to utilize your soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your tongue, as this could reduce leftover bacteria.

Utilize toothpaste and mouthwash with fluoride.
It can be hard to learn which dental regimen products are the best. While shopping, select a fluoride-containing toothpaste and mouthwash. If used together, the two oral products can extend the time it takes for germs and plaque to harden on the enamel.

Ensure that you visit your dental practitioner two times every year.
Arrange appointments with your dentist two times a year for oral health assessments and cleanings. Dental exams enable the staff at MINT dentistry in Lake Highlands to identify problems like gingivitis when they first arise. For people with dental fears, our Dallas, TX office uses several sedation techniques to settle your nerves. This way, you can receive your assessments and professional cleanings with ease.

Stop your tobacco use.
Adults who consume tobacco products (including chewing, cigars, or vaping) are at a higher risk to get gum disease and various cancers. Tobacco usage is bad for your immune system. This can make it more difficult for your body to fend off inflammation and recover afterward.

SHELTER YOUR GUMS FROM PLAQUE BUILDUP AND DETERIORATION

Preventive dental treatment is essential for the war against periodontal disease. Choose a dental care provider you trust, and make sure to stop by their facility twice a year for dental exams and cleanings. At MINT dentistry in Lake Highlands, our dentists are skilled at preventing, detecting, and treating periodontal disease and several other dental health issues. Call our team today to arrange a visit and start your path toward ideal dental health.

* All information subject to change. Images may contain models. Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary.