Did you know that your teeth have a foundation just like your house does? It's your gums! Protecting your teeth's support system is crucial for maintaining optimal oral health.
September is National Gum Care Month, and we'd like to take a moment to celebrate and protect your gum health. Here's what you should know.
Understanding Gum Disease
Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the gums and bone that support your teeth. When plaque and bacteria build up, it eventually irritates the gums and soft tissues surrounding your teeth, which can cause swelling and bleeding. Next, the bacteria descend below the gumline, which causes an infection of the jawbone. This can result in bone deterioration, potentially leading to eventual tooth loss.
The Stages of Gum Disease
Gum disease often progresses slowly without causing significant pain or discomfort initially. That's why visiting your dentist every six months for preventive exams and teeth cleanings is so important. Your dentist will screen you for gum disease, and can often identify the early stages of gum disease (gingivitis) much earlier than you can. Early detection can lead to more effective treatment outcomes.
Early Gum Disease: Gingivitis
Here are some of the signs you may notice if you're suffering from gingivitis:
- Gums bleeding during brushing and flossing
- Chronic bad breath that doesn't go away with brushing and flossing
- Red, swollen, or irritated gum tissue
When we spot gingivitis early on, we can usually help you successfully manage it with a thorough professional teeth cleaning and some significant improvements to your home care routine. Many patients are able to reverse their gum disease at this stage.
Advanced Gum Disease: Periodontitis
Periodontitis occurs when the infection in your gums and bone has progressed to a full-blown stage. Some of the signs and symptoms of periodontitis are:
- Tooth mobility
- Pain or tenderness when chewing
- Bite changes
- Increased tooth sensitivity to temperature
- Pus between teeth and gums
- A foul odor or taste in the mouth
Unfortunately, there is no cure for periodontitis; however, we can help patients successfully manage their condition and keep their gum disease at bay. Some of the treatments Dr. Rivera might recommend for periodontitis are:
- A deep cleaning called scaling and root planing that reaches far below the gumline, where the infection resides.
- Antibiotic therapy to combat the infection
- Gum surgery for severe cases
- Additional cleanings throughout the year to manage gum disease
Understanding the Oral Systemic Connection
Why is protecting your smile and dental health from gum disease so important? Because it's not just your smile that's impacted. Gum disease also affects your overall health and well-being.
Science has established numerous clear connections between gum disease and other non-dental-related health concerns, as the bacteria that cause gum disease can enter the bloodstream and travel to various parts of the body, potentially impacting these other health issues. That means that if you have diabetes, for example, you may be more susceptible to developing gum disease and vice versa.
Some of the other health concerns associated with gum disease are:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Stroke
- Dementia
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- High blood pressure
Gum disease has also been associated with complications during pregnancy, such as low birth weight for babies and pregnancy diabetes for expecting mothers.
Protecting your smile against gum disease means you're also looking out for your own overall health and well-being.
Gum Disease Is Highly Preventable
What can you do to protect your smile from Gum Disease? A lot of things!
Protecting your smile against gum disease is actually relatively straightforward. Here are some of the things you can do to ensure you achieve and maintain a healthy smile:
- Consistent brushing twice a day — Ensure you're using proper brushing techniques to be fully effective. You may also want to consider switching to an electric toothbrush if you haven't already done so.
- Flossing once a day — Removing the plaque that builds up between teeth with consistent daily flossing will protect your smile and strengthen gum tissue.
- Increase fruit and veggie intake — Fruits and vegetables increase saliva production, which is a natural protectant for your teeth.
- Drink plenty of water — Water helps keep your body and mouth hydrated. It also washes away the debris and food particles that can cause plaque buildup.
- Visit your dentist — Consistent visits to your Oakbrook Terrace dentist every six months for routine exams and professional teeth cleanings are the key to optimal oral health. During these visits, we'll screen you for problems like tooth decay and gum disease. Early detection can significantly impact the success of your treatment if you suffer from gum disease.
Contact George Rivera, DDS
Is it time for your next dental checkup and teeth cleaning in Oakbrook Terrace, IL? Don't delay!
Contact our team at (630) 592-4949 to arrange a convenient time for your next dental appointment.