Gum disease in Weston, FL
Every part of your mouth is susceptible to different diseases, and gums are not the exception.
Although caries, also known as tooth decay, is the disease most people associate with the mouth, gum disease is closely behind. Unfortunately, this is a frequent condition that affects thousands of people worldwide.
Fortunately, your dentist can treat your gum disease through professional dental cleanings. Furthermore, this condition can be easily prevented by simply having a good oral care routine and flossing daily.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease, also called gingivitis, is a common and recurrent oral condition. As the name suggests, it affects the gums that surround the teeth.
The main characteristic of this condition is gum inflammation. Swollen gums turn bright red and become tender. Yet, gum disease is usually not painful and only causes mild discomfort.
However, in most cases, this inflammation also results in bleeding gums. Since they become highly susceptible, people with gingivitis tend to bleed while they brush their teeth. Furthermore, in severe cases, their gums might even bleed by just pressing the tongue against them.
Gum disease is usually caused by bacteria present in calculus or tartar. These bacteria cause the gums to swell and bleed. Nonetheless, it can also manifest due to other issues, such as hormonal changes, trauma, and certain diseases.
Gingivitis and periodontitis
Although gum disease is rarely painful and the dentist can handily treat it, it is still a meaningful condition that must be addressed promptly.
The main reason is that gingivitis continues progressing if it is left untreated for a long time. Therefore, it eventually evolves into periodontitis.
This condition not only do affects the gums but also the tooth's support tissues, such as the bone and ligament. Periodontitis progressively destroys the bone around the teeth, causing them to become loose and eventually fall off.
The dentist can identify periodontitis by the presence of deep pockets around the teeth and through x-rays. Furthermore, periodontitis also causes receding gums.
Common symptoms
Gingivitis has some common symptoms that are easy to identify, such as:
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Swollen gums (most frequent)
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Bleeding gums
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Gum's color changes from pink to bright red
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Tender gums
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Bad breath or halitosis
Periodontitis shares these symptoms. However, there are a few additional ones that include:
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Loosen teeth
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Periodontal pockets (deepening of the space between the tooth and gums)
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Receding gums
It is essential to understand that although receding gums is a symptom of periodontitis, it is not always caused by it. Receding gums can also develop if the person brushes too hard.
How to treat it?
Since gum disease is usually caused by tartar, removing it reverts the condition and restores oral health.
This can only be done through a dental cleaning in the dental office. Afterward, you must maintain a good oral care routine to prevent tartar from forming again.
Make sure to book an appointment at Advantage Dental Weston every 6 months for a regular checkup and ensure that your gums remain healthy.
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