Are your gums bleeding, tender, or swollen? You may want to visit your dentist for periodontal care. About one billion people (19% of the global adult population) have periodontal disease.
Without proper care, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss. You may require more extensive treatment, including surgery.
What is periodontal care, exactly, and how can you maintain healthy gums at home? Read on to find out!
What Is Periodontitis?
Periodontitis begins with inflammation in the gums (gingivitis). Your gums may bleed when you brush your teeth or floss.
Gum disease can develop due to poor oral hygiene. Plaque can build up due to food debris, bacteria, and saliva in the mouth. It can spread below your gum line, causing inflammation.
During the early stages of periodontal disease, your gums will recede from your teeth. Small pockets between your gums and teeth will form.
These pockets will hold bacteria. As your immune system tries to clear the infection, your gum tissue will recede. Some bone loss could also occur.
Without proper care, periodontal disease will progress. You may notice bleeding, pain, and gum recession.
Your teeth will lose bone support before becoming loose. Meanwhile, the inflammatory response will continue spreading throughout your body.
In the final stage, the connective tissues that hold your teeth in place will deteriorate. The bones and gums that support your teeth will be destroyed, leading to tooth loss.
Symptoms of periodontitis include:
Red, swollen, or red gums
Receding gums
Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
Pain when chewing
A buildup of plaque or tartar
Changes in the position of your teeth
Loose teeth
Bad breath
Nearly half of all adults ages 30 and older have periodontitis. Severe periodontitis affects about 8% of adults. If these symptoms sound familiar, visit your dentist right away.
Causes
Failing to brush your teeth twice a day allows bacteria to grow and build. This can lead to periodontitis. Factors that can put you further at risk include:
Obesity
Type 2 diabetes
Smoking
Genetics
Poor nutrition
Certain medications
HIV
Leukemia
Hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause, menstruation)
Visit your dentist twice a year for routine checkups. They'll spot early signs of periodontitis before it develops further. With their help, you can maintain healthy gums and teeth.
Gum Health and Overall Health
Your mouth is the primary access point between your digestive and respiratory systems. It plays a part in managing your overall health.
Without proper oral hygiene, the bacteria in your mouth can travel throughout the rest of your body. Gum disease can affect your oral and overall health.
As the bacteria grow to high levels, an infection of the soft tissues of your mouth will develop. Without treatment, this bacteria can increase your risk of:
Stroke
Heart disease
Pneumonia
Complications during pregnancy
Lung disease
Meanwhile, the supporting structures of your teeth will be destroyed, causing your teeth to fall out. This can interfere with your ability to eat. You could develop painful abscesses, which increases the risk of infection or sepsis.
Periodontal Care
Periodontal care aims to preserve the health of your teeth, gums, and surrounding tissues. Remember, your oral health is connected to your overall health. Preventing gum disease can lower your risk of serious health complications.
Periodontal maintenance includes professional cleanings and at-home treatment. If you have a history of gum disease, visit your San Diego dentist every three to four months. Frequent examinations can reduce the risk of complications.
Early Detection
Regular dental checkups allow your dentist to detect and manage signs of gum disease. Receiving immediate treatment can prevent mild issues from developing.
Your dentist will detect early signs of periodontitis using a tiny ruler (a probe). They'll measure any pockets in your gums.
If they find plaque or tartar on your teeth, they'll remove it during your professional teeth cleaning. They may take dental x-rays for further testing.
To prevent gum disease, your dentist will encourage proper oral hygiene habits. This will keep plaque from developing.
Maintaining Healthy Gums
To maintain healthy gums, brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily. This will prevent plaque formation and gum inflammation.
Otherwise, you may require treatment. Periodontal treatment benefits include:
Healthy gums
Reduced risk of health complications
Protecting your jawbone health
Reduced risk of losing teeth
Personalized Treatment
Your dentist will tailor your gum disease treatment based on your unique needs. They'll consider your:
Medical history
Oral health
Risk factor
They'll recommend maintenance strategies for preventing gum disease. For example, your dentist may recommend scaling and root planing.
During this professional cleaning, your dentist will remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and their roots. They'll also polish your teeth before treating them with fluoride.
If periodontal pockets have formed, you may require a deep cleaning. They'll scrape tartar away and remove any rough spots on the tooth root.
Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to treat persistent gum infections that don't respond to cleanings. Antibiotics are in the form of oral tablets, capsules, gels, and mouthwash.
After your deep cleaning, follow up with the dentist in a few weeks. You may need to schedule appointments every three to six months. They may recommend other treatment options if periodontal pockets are still present.
This can include surgery. Flap surgery can clean deposits under your gums if inflammation persists. They'll lift your gums away to clean the roots of your teeth.
Oral Hygiene Tips for Healthy Gums
Visit your dentist for oral hygiene tips to prevent gum disease. This will reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth. For example:
Brush twice a day
Use a fluoride toothpaste
Floss daily to remove plaque
Use an electric toothbrush
Visit the dentist twice a year
Don't smoke or chew tobacco
Stress can have a detrimental effect on your dental health. It can exacerbate conditions like gum disease and bruxism. Try relaxation techniques to keep stress from affecting your gum health.
Seek Periodontal Care Today
Don't leave your teeth and gums vulnerable to bacteria. Instead, talk to your dentist about periodontal care. They can make recommendations based on your unique needs.
