Did you know that tooth enamel is the hardest substance found in the human body? But surrounding that material is a much softer, delicate substance — your gums.
Often, people will generally take took care of their teeth, but neglect to take care of their gums, and gum doctors can tell the difference! Good dental hygiene and routine dental visits can often prevent gum disease (also known as gingivitis), tooth loss — which has been known to cause depression and low self-esteem in adults — and tooth decay.
Here are some signs, symptoms, and treatment options about the gum disease gingivitis that any gum doctor would want you to know.
What is it? This is an infection of the gums that, if untreated, can turn into periodontal disease. A dentist will explain that if left untreated, gingivitis can cause your gums to separate from your teeth — which will expose your nerves as well as damage the bone supporting your teeth. If the gums recede too much, you may end up losing your teeth, and then you will need expensive dental cosmetic work done to restore your mouth.
Causes:
- Smoking
- Crooked teeth
- Diabetes
- Improperly fitted dental appliances
- Genetics
- Pregnancy
Symptoms: Sometimes people may not know they have gingivitis, but a good dentist who knows what to look for will be able to tell you what symptoms to watch out for.
- Tender, swollen, or red gums
- Bleeding gums after brushing or flossing
- Receding gums
- Change in bite
- Sensitivity
- Bad breath
Diagnosis: If you experience any of these symptoms, visit a gum doctor for a diagnosis. They will gently probe your gums and measure how far your gums have receded away from your teeth. You may need an x-ray to check for potential bone loss, though most of the time this is not necessary, as gingivitis is generally obvious to spot.
Gum treatment: Treatment for gingivitis is generally very easy, as long as you catch the disease early enough. First, proper oral hygiene is in order. Purchase a soft-bristled tooth brush (or your dentist will provide you with one) and brush twice daily. Flossing is in order in order to stimulate blood flow to your gums as well as keep plague from building up in the exposed spaces between your teeth.
Unfortunately, receding gums do not grow back. If they have receded enough to cause tooth sensitivity, ask your dentist about specialized toothpastes which numb the nerves of the affected area.
Cut back or quit smoking, control your diabetes, and look into options for realigning your teeth for a better bite. Dental deep cleaning is also an option to get rid of the bad breath associated with gingivitis.
Prevention: If you don’t have gingivitis, and if this doesn’t sound like such a pleasant thing to have, make sure to practice preventative measures, such as maintaining consistent proper oral hygiene. A balanced, healthy diet and drinking plenty of water will also benefit to a healthy mouth. Visiting your dentist once or twice a year and using fluoride toothpaste will help as well. More like this blog: www.torrancedentalarts.com
