Keeping Your Smile Healthy with Preventative Dental Care
At Angus Dentistry, we are dedicated to ensuring your smile stays healthy and vibrant through our comprehensive preventative dental care. Our experienced team understands the importance of early detection and treatment to safeguard your gums and teeth. Through regular checkups, our skilled dentists will carefully examine the condition of your gums and assist with proper oral hygiene practices to keep plaque buildup at bay.
Understanding the Causes of Gum Disease
Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is an infection that affects the gums surrounding your teeth. It is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and unfortunately, it is often painless, leading many patients to remain unaware of its presence.
It occurs due to the buildup of plaque, a sticky bacterial substance that forms on teeth. If plaque is not routinely removed through proper oral hygiene practices, like regular flossing, brushing, and dental checkups, it will accumulate and release toxins that can harm the gums. This disease starts just below the gum line, forming small pockets that separate the gums from the teeth.
There are two stages of periodontal disease:
- Gingivitis: This early stage is characterized by red, swollen, and easily bleeding gums. Gingivitis is treatable and can usually be eliminated through daily brushing and flossing.
- Periodontitis: If left untreated, gingivitis progresses into periodontitis, causing serious and irreversible damage to the gums and the supporting bone of the teeth. Infected gums from periodontitis can lead to loose teeth, tooth loss, or the need for dental extractions.
Risk Factors for Periodontal Disease
Several factors increase the risk of developing gum disease including:
- Smoking or using chewing tobacco
- Diabetes
- Certain medications, such as steroids, anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, calcium channel blockers, and oral contraceptives
- Ill-fitting dental bridges
- Crooked teeth
- Old fillings
- Pregnancy
Recognizing the Symptoms
While gum disease can sometimes go unnoticed, there are several symptoms to watch out for, such as:
- Gums that bleed easily
- Red, swollen, tender gums
- Receding gums that create gaps between teeth
- Persistent bad breath or taste
- Pus between teeth and gums
- Loose or separated permanent teeth
- Changes in your bite alignment
- Changes in the fit of partial dentures
Treating Gum Disease
The treatment for gum disease varies depending on the severity of each case. At Angus Dentistry, our periodontal treatments include non-surgical options, such as at-home periodontal trays, scaling, and root planning (deep cleaning). In addition, we also offer periodontal surgery, along with dental implants. Each treatment option is tailored to the individual’s specific needs in order to provide the most effective solution for gum disease.
Preventing Gum Disease
We are committed to empowering our patients with the tools they need to prevent gum disease and maintain excellent oral health. Our dedicated team of dental professionals believes that prevention is the key to a lasting and beautiful smile. Through personalized dental care, we educate our patients on the importance of proper oral hygiene practices, including regular brushing, flossing, and using interdental brushes to remove plaque effectively.
By following these preventive measures and practicing good oral hygiene at home, you can significantly reduce the risk of developing gum disease and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile for years to come.