One of the major keys to great oral health is maintaining healthy gums. Our gums help protect and support our teeth, but they can be quite prone to disease and infection if not properly cared for. And since early gum disease doesn’t cause pain or discomfort, many people don’t know they have anything to worry about. To help you better protect your gums, here is some information about gum disease.
Gum disease typically gets its start when oral hygiene starts to lag. Bacteria start to build up on the teeth and gums have an inflammatory response. This is known as gingivitis. Other than swelling, additional symptoms include redness, bad breath, bleeding when brushing, and even loose teeth. But since there is not any pain, many people often assume there is no real problem.
If gum disease is allowed to progress, the gums will start to pull away from teeth, which lets bacteria into the root area. Gum disease is call periodontitis at this point. The tissues and bone that support teeth begin to be infected, and tooth loss can result when they become compromised.
You might think, “I won’t let things get to that point.” But nearly half of adults over 30 have periodontitis. At Hines Dentistry we offer a variety of recommendations and treatments for gum disease to get your oral health back on track. If you have experienced any of the symptoms of gum disease, even if they are minor, please give Dr. Drew Hines a call. Ignoring warning signs can lead to serious trouble down the road.