Gum Disease Ramsey, MN
What Is Gum Disease?
Did you know over half of all American adults have a form of gum disease (periodontitis) by the age of 30? That number jumps to over 70% of adults over age 65 who have advanced gum disease (CDC Study).
Gum disease occurs when you develop an infection in the gum tissue. This presents itself as inflammation, puffiness, redness, and bleeding of the tissue around the teeth. If left untreated, the bone begins to deteriorate around the teeth. Periodontal disease is one of the most common reasons why adults lose teeth.
We continue to find links between the health of the mouth and the rest of the body. Gum disease can be associated with heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. The good news is that with good oral health care, gum disease and periodontitis can be reversed and stabilized. Who would have thought that improving your overall mouth cleanliness can improve your overall body health?
If you feel you are suffering from gum disease and would like to schedule an appointment or would like to know more, we at River’s Bend will be glad to provide some answers for you. Please call us or contact us through our website.
River’s Bend Family Dental provides a wide range of dental procedures to make it convenient for your entire family to tend to their dental needs.
Warning Signs for Gum Disease
Worried that you might have gum disease? Here are the different categories discussing gum disease.
Early Periodontitis: When plaque builds up to its harder version on teeth, it becomes calculus. This crust of bacteria starts to reach further down the pocket formed between the tooth and gum. When this happens, the constant swelling and inflammation response causes degeneration of the bone surrounding the tooth. At this stage, your hygienist will detect the bone loss using probe depths and inform you that you should return for scaling, root planing, and regular follow-ups. There are also other treatments, such as Arestin (an antibiotic placed in the gum pocket), to consider.
Advanced Periodontitis: Once the buildup of bacteria, toxins, and calculus has advanced, it severely destroys surrounding gum tissue and bone. The pockets become so deep around the teeth that you are not able to keep them clean with traditional brushing and flossing. The bacteria continue to collect, causing more pocket and gum recession until, eventually, the tooth is so wobbly it’s ready to wiggle itself out of the gums. This has now become a severe infection of the gums. If you are at this stage, you are likely considering advanced treatments, such as bone grafting, gingival grafting, and pocket reduction therapy.
Gum recession: More of a side effect of gum disease; gum recession is a condition that happens when the gums shrink and recede, exposing more of the tooth root. This exposure of the root can become very painful and sensitive to hot, cold, and pressure. It usually shows as a sharp, distinct pain, but it does go away whenever the cause is removed (hot, cold, or pressure).
Avoiding Gum Disease
Even though it is very common in adults, gum disease is completely preventable. As with succeeding with anything in life, it takes consistency and routine follow up.
Make sure you consistently brush your teeth, at minimum twice a day, morning and night, and floss at least once a day with proper technique. These are your essential at-home treatments to maintain the fight against gum disease.
Utilizing an anti-gingivitis mouthwash is also helpful in reducing bacterial loads.
It is also a good idea to maintain a healthy diet and regular exercise routine. Not only do nutritious food and exercise improve gum and mouth healing, but they also improve overall body health.
Finally, don’t forget about your regular dental check-ups and cleanings at least twice a year. This is an incredibly effective way to prevent gum disease.