Did you know you risk losing your teeth if you have gum disease? Gum disease may develop from poor oral hygiene, and your risk for the disease increases if you have a weak immune system, diabetes, or if you use tobacco. Identifying early signs of gum disease can help prevent severe complications. Regular dental check-ups, including professional dental cleanings and good oral hygiene, can lower your risk of gum disease. Reach out to the gum disease Richmond specialist today for a thorough diagnosis and treatment of gum disease. This blog post describes everything about gum disease.
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What is gum disease?
People understand oral health as taking care of their teeth, but looking after your gums and oral tissues is as well critical. Gum disease begins as gingivitis, a mild case of gum disease, that causes swelling and pain in your gums. Gingivitis is preventable, and treatment can stop its spread. Without treatment, gingivitis gradually progresses into periodontitis, a severe gum disease, that may attack the bone supporting the teeth. Gum disease usually results from poor oral hygiene practices. Daily routine thorough brushing and flossing can prevent gum disease.
What causes gum disease?
Gum disease may occur from various factors, including bacteria and fungi in your mouth. It’s normal to have oral organisms in your mouth as they can offer protection against foreign bacteria. However, poor oral hygiene may lead to an imbalance in the oral microorganisms leading to gum disease, among other oral infections. Different factors may increase your risks of gum diseases, such as poor oral care, smoking, hormonal changes, poor immune function, diabetes, or vitamin deficiencies. Certain medications, psychological stress, and poor diet may also increase your chance of gum disease.
What are the symptoms of gum disease?
Gum disease may cause dark red gums, bad breath, swollen or puffy gums, painful chewing, and tender gums. It may also cause gum bleeding when flossing or brushing. Gum disease may lead to gum recession, causing your teeth to appear longer. Gum recession may cause teeth cosmetic concerns and function issues.
Diagnosing and treating gum disease
Your dental provider performs a thorough oral examination to evaluate your mouth health. They also take X-rays and measure the pocket depth between the gums and teeth. Your provider also reviews your medical history to see whether any existing conditions may be causing gum disease. Good oral hygiene can treat gingivitis or the first stage of gum disease. Your dental provider may start the treatment by performing dental cleaning.
When your gum disease is at periodontitis level, the effects are irreversible. Your provider may recommend some treatments to slow down the disease and repair tissue damage. Your dentist performs deep cleaning, including scaling and root planing. Scaling removes tartar buildup on your teeth, while planning prevents future tartar buildup. In severe cases, your dentist may recommend surgery to restore your gums and jawbone.
Dr. Carrillo recommends maintaining good oral hygiene and a healthy lifestyle to prevent gum disease. Gum disease may lead to life-threatening issues such as heart disease or stroke when not treated. Call Dr. Juan M. Carrillo today to schedule your consultation.
