If a patient has gum disease, it might be time for a visit to the dental practice. Knowing more about what to expect allows the patient to make the right decision. That way, the gum disease will not advance into worse concerns, such as an infection. Keep reading to learn more.
Gum disease has several symptoms. These might include bleeding, swollen, or red gums. In severe cases, the gums might start receding, and chewing can be painful. The teeth might begin to loosen as the support structures begin to weaken. Bad breath might result from the bacteria in the mouth.
The process starts when the plaque in the patient’s mouth hardens to tartar. When that happens, only a dental practice can remove that. But if the patient does not have that removed, the bacteria might result in gingivitis. That is the first stage of periodontal disease. The gums might be swollen and bleed when flossing or brushing.
At that stage, the disease is still reversible. The dental practice can treat it using cleaning and having the patient floss and brush. But if that does not get treated, the condition might begin to worsen. That can lead to periodontitis, causing damage to the mouth’s soft tissues. An infection results and the teeth might eventually be lost.
The good news is that the dentist can treat many gum disease types, even if it is advanced. The treatment starts with an exam and a consultation appointment. That way, the dentist can look at the disease’s stage and find the right treatment plan. The patient might have a professional dental cleaning at that point. The dentist will remove the tartar and plaque from the gumline.
If there are signs of more advanced gum disease, the patient might need to have that done at least twice a year. For more advanced disease, the patient might need scaling and root planing. The dentist will remove the tartar and plaque from the gumline and tooth roots. There will be a local anesthetic to reduce the amount of discomfort. The dentist can then smooth the rough areas to prevent more bacteria from clinging to the site. Then the patient might have local medications to kill more bacteria.
Once the patient has gotten these treatments, oral hygiene at home is necessary. That might include flossing and brushing more often. The patient may also need to have a specific type of mouthwash. For the most severe forms, the patient may need to have surgery.
Having regular cleanings is critical. That way, the dentist can find issues early on. Plus, rinsing and brushing can remove food particles from the mouth. Regular flossing can remove the plaque from between the teeth.
Patients who believe they have gum disease should visit the right dental practice as soon as possible. That way, the dentist can address the relevant issues. Understanding more about the treatment can help a patient make a more informed decision. Making an appointment today is the first step.
Request an appointment here: https://beniciadentist.com or call Southampton Dental Care at (707) 887-5075 for an appointment in our Benicia office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Practice in Benicia, CA.
Any dental practice is aware of the consequences of dry mouth. Xerostomia is characterized by a deficiency in the production of saliva. Saliva keeps the mouth wet and neutralizes the acids that bacteria produce. It flushes out food particles, controls the growth of bacteria, and aids in digestion. A decrease in saliva production can affect…
As a general dentistry office in Benicia, we know that many people are online looking for tips on oral health, and often are trying to understand what is bothering them. For this reason, we offer up tips and information about general dentistry for patients. Our attention focuses on the healing side of dentistry, along with…
Learning how to prevent cavities from a general dentist is smart. General dentists understand everything there is to know about how to take care of your mouth and are a great source of dental information. Whether you think you already have a cavity or want to make a preventive appointment to avoid getting a cavity…
It is common knowledge that oral health is important and includes regular visits to the general dentist. However, due to busy schedules, there is hardly any time to keep up with those appointments, especially if people do not know what to expect. Routine dental appointments help ensure that potential issues never develop or get out…
Invisalign® is a teeth-straightening treatment that entails wearing sets of custom-made transparent aligners over the teeth. Unlike traditional metal braces that use wires and brackets, the aligners are removable, which means wearers can take them off when they want to eat or brush their teeth. Learn about these clear aligners and how they are used to…
An article by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare states that more than 18 million people wear partial dentures. Anyone who has been considering getting partials to improve their speech, ability to chew, and even their appearance is not alone. It helps to have the proper information beforehand, though. Partials are created from a wide variety of materials, each…