Periodontal Disease: The Main Signs Every Patient Must Recognize

Safeguarding your smile requires more effort than ensuring that your teeth are white and even. The gums are an integral part of your oral health, in addition to your general health. Since the majority of patients may assume their gums are in good condition, they are frequently startled if they are told they have a problem. Gum disease, also referred to as periodontal disease, is an oral condition that deteriorates the gums that surround an individual's teeth, and its symptoms typically occur without pain. A number of field observations have discovered a connection that pairs gum disease and seemingly unrelated health issues, like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, strokes, and specific cancers, including tooth loss.

However, we have exciting news: Periodontal disease can be prevented with effective dental care. The most important method to prevent gum disease is to receive dental care from talented dental professionals, like the staff at MINT dentistry in Grapevine. Our doctors have extensive knowledge and skills in the area of periodontal dentistry to detect a number of concerns and manage gum disease.

THE ESSENTIAL POINTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ON THE SUBJECT OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE

Often referred to as gum disease, periodontal disease is an infection of the gumline. The gumline is the oral tissue that works to secure your teeth in their correct positions. Bad dental health will often lead a fuzzy-feeling bacteria known as plaque to build up and solidify around the gum tissue. Even though toothbrushing and flossing might remove a portion of the bacteria, plaque that's not cleared up will become tartar and set onto your enamel. Only a professional cleaning provided by a dental practitioner or dental assistant can effectively remove tartar.

While left on the enamel, tartar and bacteria operate in tandem to bring about a moderate type of periodontal disease called gingivitis. Gingivitis develops as plaque collects on the enamel and causes the surrounding gum tissue to become inflamed. Bacteria produces toxins that aggravate your gum tissues, leading them to become inflamed and swollen and, generally, resulting in bleeding.

When periodontal disease evolves with no treatment, more damaging stages of periodontal disease will often cause painful and bleeding gum tissue, problems chewing, and, potentially, tooth loss. This is why it's essential to diagnose and treat periodontal disease before the damage spreads around your mouth.

PERIODONTAL DISEASE INDICATORS TO BE AWARE OF

Well-cared-for gums should be firm, pink, and fit securely around your teeth. The first symptoms of gum disease are often hard to detect by the average adult. It is essential to set up routine appointments with our dental team at MINT dentistry in Grapevine. We can detect the early indications of gum disease during routine teeth cleanings and dental exams. Symptoms of affected gums include swelling, discoloration, sensitivity, bleeding, splitting away from the tooth, excess spaces between your teeth, halitosis, missing teeth, issues with biting, and changes in your alignment.

INDIVIDUALS WITH PERIODONTAL DISEASE CAN RECEIVE NUMEROUS ADVANCED TREATMENT OPTIONS

When individuals reach the more intense degrees of periodontal disease, they may need surgical solutions. Our dentists in Grapevine, TX offer numerous surgical gum procedures, like gum grafting, gingival flap surgery, and more.

Periodontal disease regularly forces the gumline to weaken, which will expose part of the tooth's roots. To address your gumline, our doctors may offer a gum grafting treatment. Commonly, autografted connective tissue is used to complete this treatment. The grafted tissue is taken from the palate and moved to your gumline, which minimizes the root exposure.

Gum surgery can benefit people in Grapevine, TX with late-stage periodontitis. Depending on the stage of your condition, there is a selection of techniques we might incorporate: gingival flap surgery, gingivectomy, and gingivoplasty. Gingival flap surgery lifts the gumline away from the enamel to expose the roots and permit our dentist to gauge your condition. When this is complete, we will do a scaling and root planing treatment to eradicate plaque and any compromised tissue. The loose gum tissue will then be repositioned and sutured back into the right place. Meanwhile, a gingivectomy removes and reshapes a section of the diseased tissue. This procedure is generally done for those whose gum disease is more intense. Finally, a gingivoplasty is, at times, a cosmetic dental procedure that improves and repositions the gumline once your periodontal disease has been addressed to create a more aesthetic look.

EVADE PERIODONTAL DISEASE WITH THESE FIVE STEPS

The most proper way to avoid periodontal disease is to learn an excellent oral care routine. Following this convenient set of rules could help guarantee that your bright smile stays healthy a long time:

Flossing your pearly whites is necessary for excellent dental health.
Flossing no less than one time a day is necessary to help remove food particles that might be trapped in between your teeth. Toothbrushing is an essential part of your oral wellness routine, but it still won't really clean every crevice.

You must clean your teeth a minimum of two times a day.
Men and women who clean their teeth after mealtimes help to remove plaque and buildup packed in between their gums and teeth. It's also critical not to forget about your tongue. It's good to utilize your toothbrush to clean your tongue — doing so could reduce leftover bacteria.

Find toothpaste and mouthwash with fluoride.
It can be hard to know which dental routine products are the most beneficial. While shopping, select a fluoride-based toothpaste and mouth rinse. If implemented jointly, the two dental products will extend the time it takes for bacteria and plaque to accumulate on the enamel.

Ensure that you visit your dental care provider twice yearly.
Plan checkups with your dental practitioner two times yearly for oral health exams and professional cleanings. Dental exams enable the dentists at MINT dentistry in Grapevine to catch problems like periodontal disease when they initially develop. For men and women with dental fears, our Grapevine, TX facility implements several sedation options to relax your nerves so you can get your checkups and cleanings easily.

Quit your tobacco use.
People who consume tobacco products (such as dipping, smoking, or vaping) are at a higher risk to end up with periodontal disease and various cancers. Tobacco usage negatively impacts your immune system. This can make it less easy for your body to fend off diseases and recover afterward.

SAVE YOUR GUMLINE FROM PLAQUE BUILDUP AND DETERIORATION

Efficient dental care is vital in the war against periodontal disease. Find a dentist you trust, and be sure to stop by their office two times a year for follow-ups and professional cleanings. At MINT dentistry in Grapevine, our dental professionals are capable of preventing, identifying, and eliminating gum disease and various other periodontal health concerns. Call our office today to schedule a one-on-one and begin your journey toward optimal oral health.