Roughly have of U.S. adults have gum disease, either in its early or more advanced stages. Though it’s common, it’s certainly preventable. And if it hasn’t progressed too far, it can even be reversible. Some of the best things you can do to manage or prevent gum disease to brush regularly, floss regularly, learn to spot the symptoms of gum disease and to check in with your dentist regularly.
Check out some of the more common symptoms of gum disease, find out what your dentist can do to treat it and then talk with a dentist to learn where you stand.
The Symptoms of Gum Disease
Many of the symptoms of early gum disease, “gingivitis,” are shared by “periodontitis,” advanced gum disease. Symptoms of the former tend to be milder and the damage done by the latter tends to be irreversible.
These are some of the most common symptoms of gingivitis:
Discolored gums – areas of the gums are purple or bright red
Tender gums – gums are tender to the touch, more so when brushing or flossing
Inflamed gums – the gums appear to be swollen
Receding gums – the gum line begins to recede and the teeth appear to be getting long
Bad breath – chronic bad breath that’s hard to shake
Bleeding gums – gums that bleed from brushing or flossing
And more
Gum Disease Treatment
If you seek help with gum disease early enough, you’ll have access to minimally invasive, non-surgical options like the ones listed here:
Standard teeth cleaning – when plaque hardens into tartar on the teeth, it gets harder to clean your mouth and keep gum disease in check.
Deep cleaning – tartar buildup will eventually dip below the gum line, creating bacterial pockets between tooth roots and the gums. A deep cleaning remover tartar from the roots of teeth and clears away decay.
Laser gum therapy – using focused and efficient laser light, your dentist can stop decay be eradicating diseased gum tissue to preserve healthy tissue
More on Gum Disease in Oak Brook, IL
Take a brief moment to reserve an appointment with a local dentist to learn more about your options for getting treatment for gum disease in Oak Brook, IL.