Having good oral health can speaks volumes about your overall well-being. Practicing good oral health is significant for maintaining a healthy mouth, teeth, and gums to prevent the signs you have gum disease.
Our mouth acts as a magnet for bacteria. If we don’t take good care of it, then we can face serious issues such as gum disease.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease or periodontal disease is a chronic condition which can result in infected, loose teeth that have to be removed. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, there are different stages of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gum disease is highly common in the United States as it affects around 47.2 percent of Americans 30 years old or older.
Dentists recommend that you educate yourself about gum disease symptoms so that you know if you’re developing that problem and are in need of gum disease treatment.
If you notice any of the following signals of gum disease then it’s time you contact the North Pointe Dental Associates’ team of experts and schedule an appointment. It’s crucial to create a treatment plan as soon as possible.
Bleeding gums
If you’ve ever experienced bleeding gums, it could’ve been a symptom of gum disease. When brushing and flossing, gums shouldn’t bleed. Also, if you have swollen gums, red or sore gums- it could accompany bleeding. You may also experience sensitive teeth because of your bleeding gums. If you stop flossing because your gums are bleeding, then you risk plaque buildup which causes gingivitis.
There are many problems that bleeding gums can cause. When your immune cells exit your tissue, it’s obvious that other harmful bacteria can enter your bloodstream, causing serious health problems.
Gum recession or gum pocketing
If your teeth look like they’re getting longer, it’s because the gums around them are receding away. When you experience gum recession then you should know your gum disease is progressing. The depth of the collar of gum tissue around your teeth increases – this means that the pockets between teeth and gum line become too deep. When this occurs, removing food becomes extremely troublesome and periodontal pockets become even deeper and the disease worsens. Additionally, gum disease is associated with other health problems such as heart disease.
It’s considered by many people that gum disease is normal to occur as you get older. However, there’s nothing normal about it. In most of the cases, it can be prevented. This is where dentists at the North Pointe Dental Associates step in.
Tooth sensitivity
If your gum recession or gum pocketing leads to sensitive teeth then it may be a sign of gum disease. Having your root exposed may lead to its vulnerability and it can be more susceptible to decay, sensitivity or even tooth loss.
High blood sugar
One of the risk factors for gum disease is type 2 diabetes. People suffering from type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of gum disease. The link between type 2 diabetes and gingivitis is two-directional and you are required to inform your dentist about it.
If you get diagnosed with gum disease, it’s recommended that you test your blood sugar, too.
How to treat gum disease
When you visit your dentist at the North Pointe Dental Associates and the gum disease is discovered, they will recommend a gum disease treatment plan to save your gums and teeth.
Other than that, you need to brush and floss and opt for professional cleaning. The goal is not to let plaque and bacteria sit too long. It’s imperative to remove plaque and the bacteria in plaque. Call the North Pointe Dental Associates today at (813) 961-1727 and schedule your appointment. We are here to help you take care of your oral health!
