Protecting your smile involves more work than just making sure your teeth are white and straight. The gums play an integral role in your oral wellness, in addition to your overall wellbeing. Since most people may think their gums are in good condition, they are generally surprised if they are notified bad news. Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is a progressive disorder that affects the gums that surround a person’s teeth, and its signs, for the most part, occur without pain. Several field observations have shown an association between gum disease and general health concerns, such as diabetes, heart disease, strokes, and certain cancers, including tooth loss.
Despite this, there is excellent news: Periodontal disease can be prevented with proper dental care. The simplest way to battle periodontal disease is to seek out oral care from talented dental professionals, like the staff at DentalWorks – Burlington. Our practitioners have expansive knowledge and expertise in the area of periodontal dentistry to identify a number of concerns and manage gum disease.
THE ESSENTIAL POINTS YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND CONCERNING PERIODONTAL DISEASE
Often called gum disease, periodontal disease is an infection in the gums. Your gumline is the oral tissue that serves to secure your teeth in their correct placements. Improper oral hygiene could cause a sticky substance known as plaque to gather and solidify around the gum tissue. Even though toothbrushing and flossing could reduce a portion of the bacteria, plaque that’s not eradicated will turn into tartar and sit onto your teeth. Only a dental cleaning performed by a dental practitioner or dental assistant can effectively remove tartar.
If gathered on the teeth, tartar and bacteria operate as a pair to bring about a moderate form of periodontal disease that we call gingivitis. Gingivitis occurs as plaque builds up on teeth and causes the nearby gumline to become red and puffy. Plaque produces toxins that cause damage to the gums, which makes them sensitive and puffy and, usually, causing bleeding.
As gum disease worsens without care, future phases of gum disease may lead to sensitive and bleeding gums, problems chewing, and, possibly, tooth loss. This is why it’s essential to diagnose and treat gum disease before it spreads around your oral structures.
PERIODONTAL DISEASE RED FLAGS TO BE AWARE OF
Proper gums are firm, pinkish, and fit tightly around your teeth. The first symptoms of periodontal disease are usually hard to detect by the average adult. It is critical to schedule regular sessions with our dental team at DentalWorks – Burlington. We are able to determine the tell-tale indications of gum disease during bi-annual cleanings and dental exams. Signs of affected gums include puffiness, discoloration, tenderness, bleeding, splitting away from the tooth, extra spaces between your teeth, bad breath, missing teeth, issues with chewing, and differences with your dental alignment.
PEOPLE WITH PERIODONTAL DISEASE HAVE ACCESS TO A NUMBER OF SURGICAL TREATMENT OPTIONS
When individuals come to the more advanced stages of periodontal disease, they will usually need surgical procedures. The dental practitioners in Burlington, NC provide several advanced gum treatments, such as gum tissue transplanting, gingival flap surgery, and more.
Periodontal disease regularly leads the gums to deteriorate, which will reveal a portion of the roots of the teeth. To address your gums, our team may perform a gum graft surgery. Typically, self-donated connective tissue is used to complete this service. The grafted sample is excised from the palate and reinstated into your gumline, which reduces the tooth root exposure.
Periodontal surgery can help patients in Burlington, NC who have late-stage periodontitis. Based on the severity of your periodontal disease, there is a selection of methods we will likely incorporate: gingival flap surgery, gingivectomy, or gingivoplasty. Gingival flap surgery moves the gum tissue away from the teeth to gain access to the tooth roots and allow our dentist to gauge your situation. Following that, our dentist will perform a deep cleaning to clear away tartar and any inflamed tissue. The loose gum tissue is then readjusted and sutured in the right place. Meanwhile, a gingivectomy removes and reshapes a section of the severely diseased tissue. This option is typically saved for people whose gum disease is further along. Finally, a gingivoplasty is considered a cosmetic dental treatment that enhances and readjusts your gums once your periodontal disease has been dealt with, reinstating their proper function and appearing more natural.
DISCOVER HOW YOU CAN PREVENT GUM DISEASE WHEN YOU FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE RULES
The best method to prevent periodontal disease is to build up a good oral care routine. Following this simple checklist may help ensure that your bright smile endures a long time:
Flossing your teeth is crucial for your best dental health.
Flossing your teeth no less than once each day could help eliminate tartar that could be lodged between your teeth. Toothbrushing is a vital aspect of anyone’s oral care routine. However, doing so every day still won’t reach every area.
Individuals should clean their teeth no less than twice daily.
Individuals who brush their teeth after breakfast, lunch, and dinner help to remove tartar and buildup stuck in between their gums and teeth. It’s also critical to not disregard your tongue. Use your soft-bristled brush to clean your tongue, as this will get rid of excess bacteria.
Make use of toothpaste and mouth rinses with fluoride.
It’s often difficult to figure out which dental regimen products are the most beneficial. When shopping, pick a fluoride-containing toothpaste and mouth rinse. When combined, the two oral products may prolong the rate at which food particles and tartar to accumulate on the teeth.
Be sure you visit your dental care provider two times a year.
Arrange checkups with your dental practitioner twice yearly for an oral health evaluation and professional cleaning. Annual exams allow the dentists at DentalWorks – Burlington to identify issues like gum disease when they initially develop. For men and women with dental worries, our Burlington, NC facility offers numerous sedation techniques to calm your nerves. This way, you can receive your examinations and professional cleanings with ease.
Stop your tobacco usage.
Individuals who consume tobacco products (like dipping, smoking, or vaping) are more likely to wind up with gum disease and oral cancer. Tobacco usage is detrimental to your immune system, which makes it harder on your body to fight off diseases and recover afterward.
SHELTER YOUR GUMLINE FROM HARMFUL BACTERIA AND RECESSION
Exceptional dental intervention is vital for the fight against gum disease. Find a dental care provider you trust, and make sure to stop by their facility two times a year for dental exams and cleanings. At DentalWorks – Burlington, our dentists are capable of preventing, diagnosing, and treating gum disease, including many other oral health concerns. Contact our staff to arrange a visit and begin your journey toward optimal dental health.
