Do I Have Gum Disease?
Many people who have minor gum problems are not aware of it because the symptoms can be very subtle. Upon visiting our dentist, the specialist will examine your gums and look for any symptoms of inflammation or even more advanced problems.
Major symptoms of gum disease include:
- Red or shiny gums
- Bleeding from the gums when you brush your teeth
- Swelling in the gum tissue
- Pockets around the teeth
Pockets around the teeth are measured by your dental hygienist at each checkup. If pockets are more than one or two millimeters deep, you might require treatment. Pockets four or five millimeters deep are a sign of more serious problems and will definitely require some type of intervention.
Treatment for Gum Disease
The treatment you receive for gum disease depends upon how serious it is. If you have gingivitis, this is a relatively minor inflammation and can be treated with more diligent brushing, flossing, cleaning, and possibly using a special toothpaste or a topical treatment. As the inflammation becomes more serious and develops into infection, treatment becomes more complex and invasive. This can include deep cleaning, root planing and scaling, or even surgery. Surgery could require the dentist to remove the infected tissue and repair it with a gum graft.
The best way to prevent gum disease is to brush and floss regularly and thoroughly. It’s also very important to visit your dentist regularly, as some of the symptoms are more easily spotted by your dentist. The sooner gum disease is diagnosed, the easier it will be to treat it and put your mouth back on the road to good health.
Do you think you’re suffering from gum disease? Call our office today to schedule a consultation with our caring specialist today.