To have a healthy smile, you need a healthy mouth. To have a healthy mouth, you must do more than just take care of your teeth. You have to take care of your gums, too. By learning the signs of gum disease, you will be more prepared to do something to fight it. We want you to know how you can stop gum disease from taking hold in your mouth.
Call 815-725-5991 or contact us online to start by requesting an appointment at Shorewood Family Dental Care. A professional cleaning and exam may be just what you need to protect your gums and save your smile.
Our team at SFDC has been helping patients in and around Shorewood, IL for years, and we would be happy to help you, too.
Gum Infections are More Common Than You Realize
An estimated 85 percent of people will experience periodontal disease.
Even so, as many as 4 in 10 people with a gum infection will not be aware that they have it. Unfortunately, even people who realize something is wrong will keep putting off treatment until it’s too late.
This can help explain why gum infections — not tooth decay — are the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. We want you to keep your teeth, which is why we want you to protect your gums.
Prevention is Always Your Best Option
You’ve heard for years that preventing a problem is better than having to fix it.
You already know what you need to do to prevent gum disease. Brush and floss your teeth every day. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet, and get regular dental exams and cleaning, which we will be happy to provide at our office.
Brushing and flossing are both essential for removing bacteria and plaque. They also remove particles of food, which can become fuel for the bacteria that cause tooth decay and infected gums.
Brushing twice a day is a good start, but if you aren’t flossing, then you are missing the space between your teeth and below your gumline. Your toothbrush may not be able to get into those spaces, but we assure you that bacteria can and does.
For the sake of oral health, flossing means using dental floss, flossers, or a water flosser to clean those spaces that a toothbrush can’t reach. Doing this daily will go a long way toward preventing plaque and tartar buildup, which often precedes oral health problems.
A professional dental cleaning will remove any plaque and tartar that you may have missed. It also gives dental professionals an opportunity to carefully examine your mouth for signs of gum disease.
If we see anything suspicious, we will let you know, and we can advise you on what steps to take.
Watching for the Signs of Gum Disease
The earliest stage of a gum infection is called gingivitis which can often be one of the first signs of possible gum disease.
Its symptoms are not painful in most cases, so it’s important to pay attention to the appearance of your gums. If they look red or puffy, this is your first clue that something is wrong.
If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, this is another symptom of infected gums. (It also may be a sign that you aren’t flossing as often as you should.)
The good news is that gingivitis is often reversible. Many times, improving your brushing and flossing habits can be enough. DID YOU KNOW: the lack of brushing and flossing are the leading causes of gum disease?
However, a professional cleaning can help you get back on track faster.
If your gingivitis goes unnoticed, ignored, or untreated, it will get worse.
Your gums may:
- Bleed more easily.
- Begin to recede or pull away from your teeth.
- Feel sore or tender.
- Also, you may notice that you have bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth that never seems to go away.
And in the late stages, your teeth may begin to feel loose.
These are the symptoms of periodontitis, which is an advanced form of gum disease. This requires advanced treatment, and Shorewood Family Dental Care offers some of the most advanced gum disease treatments available.
Through laser dentistry, we can remove your infected gum tissue without surgery. This also reduces your recovery time so your mouth can get back to being as healthy as possible.
Let Us Help You Keep Smiling
If you need to treat gum disease, we’re here. If you want to prevent gum disease, we can help you identify signs of gum disease.
Contact us online or call 815-725-5991 today to request your appointment.
Let us help you keep smiling today, tomorrow, and for the rest of your life!
