Are your gums red, swollen, or bleed when you brush your teeth? Do you have bad breath and hardened plaque buildup at your gum line? If so, you may be one of 80% of Americans who have gum disease.
When plaque and tartar build up at the gum line, bacteria forms and attacks sensitive gum tissue. Periodontitis, the most severe gum disease, can destroy the bone that supports your teeth causing tooth loss.
The Beginning Stage:
Healthy gums are pink and firm. If your gums become red, puffy, or blood starts appearing in the sink when you’re brushing or flossing, chances are that you have gingivitis. Some people believe they’re brushing too hard. But in reality, they’re experiencing the begging stages of permanent damage.
Luckily, the gingivitis stage of gum disease is reversible. Brushing all surfaces of your teeth twice a day for two minutes with frequent flossing will remove plaque buildup.
At your semi-annual visit to the dentist, we’ll look for signs of gum disease. Found in the moderate to mild stage, gum disease can be treated with scaling, root planning, and antibiotic therapy. This procedure is often called deep cleaning. Scaling involves removing tartar from below the gum line, and root planning is the smoothing of teeth roots to eliminate areas where plaque tends to accumulate. After deep cleaning, patients are scheduled for frequent follow-up visits so that the dentist can assess progress and help deter recurrence.
The Advanced Stage:
Overtime, gingivitis progresses to periodontitis. Pockets start to form between the gum and the base of the tooth. The bone will eventually disappear and with no bone structure teeth will fall out.
Is is very important to recognize these symptoms and book an appointment with your dentist to discuss a proper treatment plan.
Call us for more information.
MyDentalTampa.com wants to make you smile.
mydentalflorida@gmail.com
Office Call: 813-908-3636
Office Text: 813-624-5036
Or find us on Facebook or Instagram
Instagram: @mydentaltampa
