If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think much about your gums. But if you have gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, you should be thinking about them a lot. Gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults, and it can lead to other health problems as well. In this article, you’ll read everything you need to know about gum disease – what causes it, how to prevent it, and how to treat it if you already have it.
What do you need to know about gum disease?
Gum disease is an infection of your gums that can damage the supporting structures of your teeth. Plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth, is the culprit behind cavities. If you don’t remove plaque with brushing and flossing, it can turn into tartar. This is very difficult to remove with brushing alone, and it can lead to gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease.
Gingivitis is marked by puffy, red gums that may bleed when you clean your teeth. Without treatment, this may develop into periodontal disease, the more advanced stage of gum disease. Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums that starts when plaque builds up and causes your gums to pull away from your teeth. These pockets fill with plaque and tartar, and they can become infected. The infection harms the bones and tissues that keep your teeth in place. If the disease is not treated, it can eventually lead to tooth loss.
How do you prevent gum disease?
There are a few things you can do to prevent gum disease. First, brush your teeth twice a day with a toothbrush that has soft bristles. Be sure to use gentle circular motions and to brush along the gum line and the surfaces of your teeth. Additionally, incorporate flossing into your daily routine to remove plaque from the spaces between your teeth, in addition to eating healthy and refraining from smoking.
If you already have gum disease, it’s essential to see your dentist so that the disease can be treated in its early stages. If the disease is more advanced, you may need to see a periodontist, a dentist specializing in treating gum disease. You may also need to have surgery to treat the disease.
One of the best ways to stop gum disease from getting worse is by getting dental implants. These titanium posts are surgically placed in your jawbone and will stimulate it and keep it healthy and strong. They act as anchors for replacement teeth, or dentures. This helps close the gap that is caused by tooth loss and also helps to keep the bone healthy. It also prevents plaque and bacteria from entering the gaps and causing further damage. The implant surgery is a minor procedure, and it usually doesn’t require any downtime after you recover from the anesthesia.
How do you deal with gum disease?
The treatment for gum disease depends on how severe the disease is. If you have gingivitis, your dentist may recommend brushing and flossing more frequently and seeing them for more frequent cleanings. If you have periodontal disease, your treatment may be more extensive.
Scaling and root planing may be recommended to you by your dentist or periodontist. This is a deep cleaning that removes tartar and plaque from your teeth and from below the gum line. Scaling helps to remove the bacteria that are causing the infection, and root planing smoothes the roots of your teeth so that the gum tissue can reattach to them more easily.
You may also need to take antibiotics to get rid of the infection. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the tartar and plaque from your teeth and gums. Once your treatment is completed, you must schedule regular appointments with your dentist or periodontist for cleanings and checkups.
If you have gum disease, get treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you get treated, the less damage the disease will do to your teeth and gums. Gum disease is a serious infection, and it can lead to tooth loss if it’s not treated. Don’t wait to get the treatment you need.
How long does it take for gum disease to go away?
The length of time it takes for gum disease to dissipate varies depending on the harshness of the disease. Gingivitis may require a few days of treatment, and you should see some change, even though it may take longer for all symptoms to disappear. Generally, it dissipates in 10-14 days. If your case is more severe, treatment may take longer.
Now that you know a little more about gum disease, you can take steps to prevent it. Be sure to brush and floss regularly, eat a healthy diet, and see your dentist or periodontist for regular checkups. If you already have gum disease, don’t delay getting treatment. The sooner you get treated, the less damage the disease will do.
