Would you consider building a house on an unstable foundation? Never! The same can be said for your teeth when you suffer from gum disease. Your gums are the foundation for your teeth, and when they aren’t healthy, your teeth are in jeopardy. Did you know that half of Americans suffer from this condition in some form? The problem is that many people aren’t even aware that they have the problem. This is why your dentist in Mesquite is taking time to make patients more aware of gum disease, its symptoms, and how to protect yourself.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is an infection of the main support system for your teeth, which are your gums and jawbone. This is why if your infection is left untreated, it will eventually destroy your soft tissues and bone and result in tooth loss. In fact, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in American adults.
Gum infection has also been proven to correlate with other health concerns such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and vice versa. The bacteria that causes gum disease can travel through the blood stream and reach other areas of the body, contributing to the inflammation causing these chronic concerns.
What Are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?
Gum disease in Mesquite is sneaky because it doesn’t present many symptoms in the beginning.
If you are suffering from gingivitis, which is the early stage of the disease, you may notice that your teeth are red, swollen, or your gums are irritated. You may also have chronic bad breath that seems impossible to eliminate. If you notice these symptoms, now is the best time to contact your dentist since gingivitis can often be reversed with a professional cleaning and improvements to your home care routine.
Periodontitis is the advanced stage of gum disease where the damage is beginning to occur. You may notice that your teeth feel tender when chewing or that they’re beginning to feel loose. You might also see your gums starting to recede. Periodontitis requires a deep cleaning to reach below the gum line called scaling and root planing. Your dentist may also recommend surgery in severe cases.
Protecting Your Dental Health
Your first line of defense against a dental infection is an excellent preventive and home care routine. This entails consistent visits to your dentist every six months for cleanings and checkups and a commitment to brushing twice per day and flossing once.
If you suspect you may need gum disease treatment in Mesquite, please contact your dentist today to schedule your appointment. Treating this concern as soon as you can will ensure you receive the best outcome possible.
About the Author
Dr. Dhavalkumar Rana leads the dedicated team at TrueCare Dentistry in Mesquite, TX. His primary goal is to provide high quality dentistry to patients in a warm and friendly environment they enjoy visiting.
Our office is also well-equipped to help patients who are managing gum disease.
Preventive care is our focus, so if you’d like to contact Dr. Rana, he can be reached by calling 469-399-7288 or online.