Gum Care is Important for Overall Health
Awareness months are a popular way to spread information and awareness about specific issues. While you may not have heard about it before, September is Gum Care Awareness Month. This month is dedicated to informing people about how important it is to take good care of their gums. Gum disease or periodontal disease can lead to serious consequences for your oral and physical health. It’s the primary reason why people over the age of 35 lose their teeth in the United States of America. Gum disease has also been closely linked to serious health conditions such as stroke and heart disease.
How Should I Care for My Gums in Philadelphia?
If you want to ensure that your gums stay healthy, you need to take good care of them. Fortunately, it doesn’t take any sort of special tool to take care of your gums. All you need is your toothbrush, dental floss and a dentist in Philadelphia to give you cleanings and checkups on a regular basis. You should be brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing twice a day. Doing these simple tasks will keep your gum health on track.
It's important that you have gum disease treated as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment for a cleaning and checkup with one of our dentists, contact our office today.
What Are the Symptoms of Gum Disease That I Need to Look Out For?
Even if you take excellent care of your oral health, gum disease can still occur. The best way to deal with gum disease is to know what the symptoms are. That’s because gum disease is reversible when it is caught in its earliest stages. Signs of having gum disease include:
- Red, swollen, or sensitive gums
- Bad breath
- Bleeding gums when you brush or floss
- Gums that are pulling away from the base of your teeth
- Loose teeth or unusual gaps between the teeth
- Visible pus or infection between your teeth and gums
- Pockets of infection or irritation at the base of your gums
What Should I Do if I Think I Have Gum Disease?
You should contact your dentist in Philadelphia at the first sign that you may have gum disease. Your dentist will be able to provide you with a diagnosis. He or she will then develop a treatment plan for you. Your treatment plan will most likely include actions that you can take at home to reverse any damage caused by gum disease. You will also be given tips on how to prevent gum disease from happening again. Remember, your dentist is one of the best tools you have in battling gum disease.
It's important that you have gum disease treated as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment for a cleaning and checkup with one of our dentists, contact our office today.
Can You Tell Me About the Different Stages of Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a progressive disease that consists of three stages. Understanding each of these stages and how they are treated can help you when it comes to fighting the disease. Remember, it’s much easier (and cheaper) to treat gum disease when it is in its earliest stages. The more advanced the disease becomes, the more expensive, time intensive and invasive the treatment options become. The three stages of gum disease are:
Stage One: Gingivitis
As the earliest stage of gum disease, gingivitis is what happens when plaque is allowed to build up on the teeth and harden into a substance called tartar. The tartar irritates the gums and causes gingivitis. The most common symptom of having gingivitis is having teeth and gums that bleed when you brush or floss your teeth. Gingivitis is completely treatable. The damage caused by this stage of gum disease is able to be reversed. Common treatments are professional cleanings and at-home dental care routines that will prevent plaque from building up on the teeth again.
Stage Two: Periodontitis
The next stage of gum disease is called periodontitis. It occurs as tartar continues become built-up on the surface of the teeth. This causes the creation of pockets in the gums. These pockets collect food particles, plaque and bacteria that cause an infection that will break down the bones and tissues inside of your mouth. This stage of gum disease is typically treated via the use of professional scaling, root planing and antibiotics.
Stage Three: Advanced Periodontitis
The final stage of gum disease is known as advanced periodontitis. During this stage of the disease, the tissues and bones that surround your teeth are entirely destroyed. This causes your teeth to become loose and to shift out of position. It also causes your teeth to fall out. Oral surgery to repair the damaged gum tissues and bones is necessary. In addition to this, you will most likely need to undergo additional procedures to restore the damaged teeth to a more natural state.
Taking Excellent Care of Your Gums is Imperative in Philadelphia
To live a fully healthy lifestyle, you need to take great care of your gums. Failing to do so can negatively impact your dental health and your overall physical health. There have been studies done in recent years that show a close link between gum disease and serious health issues. This link includes diseases and conditions like:
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Heart Disease
- Stroke
- High Blood Pressure
Your best chance at defeating gum disease is to do your best to prevent it from happening. Follow an established at-home dental care routine. You should also see your dentist in Philadelphia on a regular basis. This allows your dentist to perform a checkup and cleaning.
It's important that you have gum disease treated as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment for a cleaning and checkup with one of our dentists, contact our office today.
