As you brush your teeth before bed, you notice blood in the sink – again. After a quick glance through your mouth, nothing appears out of the ordinary, except that your gums are a bit red. Your teeth don’t hurt though, so it’s probably not a big deal – right? Wrong! You’ve just experienced some of the first signs of gum disease and this is the perfect time to call your Summerlin dentist and schedule a cleaning and checkup. It’s important to treat gum disease as soon as possible, and here’s why:
What is Gum Disease?
Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is essentially an infection of the support system for your teeth, which is your bone and soft tissues. It’s caused by bacteria that sneak below the gum line when excessive plaque buildup causes your teeth to separate. If it’s left untreated, gum disease can cause severe damage and will eventually lead to tooth loss. It can also contribute to other health concerns in the body such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Gingivitis: Stage One
The good news is that the first signs of gum disease are gums that appear red and swollen, or bleed when you brush your teeth. This is the early stage of gum disease known as gingivitis, and it can typically be successfully managed with a thorough professional cleaning and improvements to your home care. For some proactive patients, this may even reverse gingivitis and prevent gum disease from progressing.
Periodontitis: The Advanced Stage of Gum Disease
More advanced cases of gum disease are known as periodontitis. Here you may notice your teeth becoming mobile, and you may begin to experience some pain. This stage requires a much deeper cleaning that can reach below the gum line to remove tartar and plaque buildup. We may also recommend antibiotic and laser therapy as other gum disease treatments to help manage your condition.
While there is no cure for gum disease, your team at Summerlin Center For Aesthetic Dentistry can help you keep it at bay with additional cleanings and regular checkups throughout the year.
Contact Summerlin Center For Aesthetic Dentistry
Your first line of defense against conditions such as periodontal disease is your six-month cleaning and checkup appointments. Not only do we screen you for gum disease at every checkup, we also take the time to remove the plaque buildup that causes it.
If you’ve noticed signs of gingivitis, or it’s time for your next cleaning and checkup, give us a call today to get your appointment scheduled.