Periodontal, gum, disease is one of the most prevalent oral and overall health issues among US adults. In fact, advanced gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among people over the age of 35. Additionally, periodontal disease has been linked to numerous overall health concerns including heart disease, diabetes, and preterm and low weight births. The prevalence of gum disease is due in part to the fact that the early warning signs are very subtle and easily go unnoticed. This is one reason why visiting Strohman Dental, your trusted general and family dentist in Wichita Falls, every six months is so important.
Warning Signs of Gum Disease
Gum disease begins with mild discomfort, soft tissue discoloration, and bleeding gums. This early form of gum disease is known as gingivitis. While this mild form of periodontal disease may seem innocuous at first, left untreated, gingivitis can develop into the more advanced periodontitis which has a number of detrimental effects including:
- Gums that bleed regularly or even constantly
- Gums that are red, purple, or otherwise discolored
- Swollen, irritated, or infected gum tissue
- Teeth that feel loose or don’t fit together properly
- Chronic bad breath, halitosis
- Tooth loss
Gum Disease Treatment Options
Depending on the extent and severity of gum disease, we may recommend a number of treatment options. For patients suffering from gingivitis, we will likely recommend more frequent professional teeth cleanings from our dental hygienists to keep teeth free from plaque and tartar buildup that irritates and inflames gum tissue. As gum disease advances to the more severe periodontitis, we may need to utilize a variety of treatments in addition to more frequent cleanings, which may include any of the following:
- Scaling – the systematic removal of plaque and tartar buildup and damaged or infected soft tissue
- Root planing – the smoothing of tooth roots to prevent future plaque and tartar buildup limiting the recurrence of gum disease
- Topical antibiotics – applied to the affected areas to reduce bacteria preventing plaque and tartar buildup
Preventing Gum Disease
As is the case with any oral health concerns, our goal is to help patients prevent these issues before they start. The best way to prevent gum disease is to maintain an oral hygiene routine that includes thorough brushing for two minutes at a time two times each day, flossing at least once per day, and visiting our Wichita Falls office at least two times each year for dental checkups and teeth cleanings. Finally, patients should contact us immediately, if they notice any of the warning signs of periodontal disease.