Periodontal Disease: The Major Facts Any Person Must Know
Looking after your smile requires more effort than only ensuring that your teeth are pearly and even. Your gums are a significant aspect of your dental health and your general wellness. Since the majority of patients might believe their gums are healthy, they are generally surprised when they are notified of an issue. Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is a harmful disorder that affects the gums around a person's teeth, and its symptoms usually occur without pain. Many studies have shown a link with periodontal disease and seemingly unrelated health concerns, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, strokes, and certain cancers, in addition to tooth loss.
In spite of this, we have good news: Periodontal disease can be evaded with professional dental care. The most effective method to battle gum disease is to seek out dental care from experienced dental practitioners, like the team at MINT dentistry in Highland Hotel. Our doctors have comprehensive knowledge and expertise in the area of periodontal dentistry to diagnose various concerns and manage gum disease.
THE ESSENTIAL POINTS YOU MUST UNDERSTAND REGARDING GUM DISEASE
Sometimes called gum disease, periodontal disease is essentially an infection of the gumline. The gumline is the pink-colored tissue that serves to retain your teeth in their ideal positions. Poor dental health could cause a sticky substance known as plaque to gather and solidify around the gum tissue. While brushing and flossing might eliminate a portion of the problem, plaque that's not eliminated will develop into tartar and cement onto your enamel. Only a thorough cleaning performed by a dentist or dental assistant can totally remove tartar.
When left on the enamel, tartar and food particles work together to bring about a mild type of gum disease known as gingivitis. Gingivitis comes about when plaque collects on the enamel and causes the nearby gum tissue to become inflamed. Plaque creates toxins that cause damage to the gums, leading them to become inflamed and swollen and, commonly, leading to bleeding.
As gum disease progresses without management, future levels of gum disease may lead to painful and bleeding gums, difficulty chewing, and, possibly, tooth loss. That’s why it's vital to diagnose and address periodontal disease before it spreads throughout your other oral structures.
GUM DISEASE SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR
Healthy gums should be taut, pink, and fit comfortably around your teeth. The earliest symptoms of periodontal disease are usually difficult to recognize by the typical patient. It is crucial to schedule regular sessions with our dental professionals at MINT dentistry in Highland Hotel. Our staff will work to determine the tell-tale signals of periodontal disease during biannual teeth cleanings and dental checkups. Symptoms of infected gums include swelling, discoloration, sensitivity, bleeding, pulling away from the tooth, excess spaces between your teeth, bad breath, loose teeth, difficulty chewing, and inconsistencies with your dental alignment.
PEOPLE WITH GUM DISEASE HAVE ACCESS TO MANY ADVANCED CARE OPTIONS
As individuals get to the more intense degrees of periodontal disease, they can require surgical treatments. Our dental practitioners in Dallas, TX provide numerous surgical gum treatments, such as gum grafting, gingival flap surgery, and more.
Periodontal disease usually forces the gum tissue to recede, which will reveal part of the tooth's roots. To fix the gum tissue, our dental practitioners may provide a gum grafting treatment. Commonly, autografted connective tissue is used for this service. The grafted tissue is taken from the palate and sutured to your gumline, which will address the tooth root exposure.
Periodontal surgery will often benefit patients in Dallas, TX with progressive periodontitis. Based on the severity of your periodontal disease, there are three methods we will likely implement: gingival flap surgery, gingivectomy, and gingivoplasty. Gingival flap surgery lifts the gums away from the tooth to uncover the roots and permit our dentist to gauge your condition. From there, our dentist will do a scaling and root planing treatment to eradicate tartar and excess damaged tissue. The loose tissue will then be moved and stitched back into the correct place. Meanwhile, a gingivectomy removes and remolds a section of the significantly diseased gum tissue. This treatment is usually done for those whose gum disease has progressed. Lastly, a gingivoplasty is, at times, a cosmetic dental treatment that improves and readjusts the surrounding tissues when your periodontal disease has been treated to ensure a more aesthetic appearance.
PREVENT GUM DISEASE WITH THESE FIVE PRACTICES
The surest way to prevent periodontal disease is to develop a good at-home oral health regimen. Obeying this comprehensive checklist could help ensure that your bright smile lasts many years:
Flossing your teeth is important for optimal dental wellness.
Flossing your teeth at least one time daily will help clear away plaque that might be packed between your teeth. Toothbrushing is a required part of your oral health routine. However, it still can't target every area.
Adults and children need to clean their teeth at least two times daily.
Men and women who brush their teeth after eating help to remove plaque and food particles lodged in between their gums and teeth. It's equally important not to disregard your tongue. You should utilize your soft-bristled toothbrush to cleanse your tongue — doing so might get rid of excess bacteria.
Use toothpaste and mouth rinses that contain fluoride.
It can be challenging to know which dental regimen products are the best. While shopping, look for a fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash. If used in conjunction, the two dental products can delay how long it takes for germs and plaque to build up on the teeth.
Be sure you visit your dental practitioner twice a year.
Arrange one-on-ones with your dentist twice yearly for oral health evaluations and cleanings. Dental examinations allow the team at MINT dentistry in Highland Hotel to detect problems like periodontal disease when they initially show up. To help patients with dental anxieties, our Dallas, TX facility utilizes numerous sedation techniques to calm your nerves. This way, you can get your assessments and professional cleanings with ease.
Give up tobacco products.
Adults who consume tobacco products (like dipping, smoking, or vaping) are at a higher risk to develop periodontal disease and certain cancers. Tobacco consumption weakens your immune system, making it less easy for your body to battle diseases and bounce back afterward.
SHELTER YOUR GUMS FROM DISEASE AND DETERIORATION
Proper dental treatment is necessary for the war against periodontal disease. Look for a dentist you trust, and be sure to check in at their office every six months for checkups and professional cleanings. At MINT dentistry in Highland Hotel, our team is capable of preventing, detecting, and eliminating periodontal disease, in addition to several other dental health issues. Get in touch with our office to schedule a visit and start your path toward excellent dental health.