Periodontal disease or gum disease is an oral health issue that starts mild but could progress into a serious problem if not treated on time. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of the American adults aged 30 and older and 70 percent of those aged 65 and older have some form of gum disease. This suggests that gum disease is a very common issue and people tend to easily develop issues with gums. If caught in its mild form, it can be easy to reverse the condition. But when it turns into Periodontitis, it can be a very serious problem, and restoring your oral health back to normal could be a concern.
Gum disease could also trigger an infection in heart valves, diabetes, and depression. In order to avoid the development of serious gum disease, you need to make caring for your teeth and gums a top priority. Here are few ways to deal effectively with gum issue so it does not turn into something serious or leave permanent side effects like tooth loss.
Learn to recognise the warning signs
The signs/symptoms of gum disease could be very subtle in the beginning. But if you pay attention to it, you could easily recognise the development of gum issue. Gums bleeding while brushing or flossing, swelling in gums, painful gums, or gums that have turned red could indicate gum issue. If you experience any of these, you should not overlook it and shall immediately consider gum disease treatment in San Antonio.
Have your gums inspected by your dentist
The best thing you could do is to not miss the regular twice-a-year dental appointments with your dentist. During your regular checkups, your dentist will assess the condition of your gums and will check for tartar above and below your gumline. If there are any symptoms of gum disease, your dentist could recommend a course of action. In between the visits, if you are concerned about your gums and experience any of the warning signs, you should schedule an appointment at a dental clinic in San Antonio and get your gum health assessed without further delay.
Maintain a healthy dental hygiene routine
The mild form of gum disease – Gingivitis – can easily be reversed by improving your daily oral care habits. Flossing is an important part of caring for your teeth and gums. If you are not flossing regularly, it increases your risk of gum disease. Become more consistent with flossing and brush twice a day to improve your symptoms and eventually reverse the gum issue.
Take help of a dental specialist for advanced gum disease
The most advanced form of gum disease – Periodontitis – cannot be reversed by doing simple improvements in your oral care routine. Periodontitis requires professional intervention in order to prevent you from its permanent side effects. At this phase, you will experience receding gums and gums pulling away from your teeth. Periodontitis could affect your gum health as well as physical health and might leave serious, permanent consequences. Getting professional help is the only way to bring your gums back to health. Your dentist will suggest procedures or course of action to restore your gum health.
Gum disease is treatable if you deal with it proactively. If you overlook the warning signs and put off dealing with them, you could land into serious trouble. Prevention is the best way though. Maintain your oral care routine and do not miss your regular dental appointments.