215-493-9325Because a person’s oral health is directly connected to their general health, it is important to have your teeth and gums evaluated regularly. At Frank C. Prezioso, DMD’s office, we will evaluate your gum health at each preventative appointment.
Tooth loss is not just a result of tooth decay. Losing teeth is often the result of gum disease. Brushing and flossing daily as well as regularly seeing your dentist can stop cavities and gum disease in their tracks allowing you to keep your teeth healthy and beautiful for a lifetime. In addition, by keeping your teeth and gums in tip-top shape, you are helping your entire body stay healthy.
What Gum Disease Looks Like
The most important thing to know is that gum disease does not hurt until it is in the more severe stage and may be too late to save the teeth. Gum disease can be mild, moderate or advanced. Gingivitis is the mildest stage and is completely reversible with a professional dental cleaning and good daily home care. It makes the gum tissue inflamed. This inflammation causes the gums to be puffy, red, (healthy gums are a light pink color), and bleed easily. Remember, healthy gums don’t bleed! Left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis with permanent bone loss around the teeth causing teeth to shift, loosen and eventually be lost. Moderate and advanced gum disease may require surgical treatment.
Gum Disease Phases
-Gingivitis: In this phase, you will notice red, swollen gums and occasional bleeding when brushing or flossing. It is caused by a buildup of plaque and tartar. Gingivitis can be reversed with a professional dental cleaning followed by routine daily oral hygiene care and a healthy diet.
-Mild-to-moderate periodontitis: This phase of gum disease results from gingivitis being left untreated. It causes the gum to pull away from the tooth creating periodontal pockets that are difficult to clean effectively. As the pocketing progresses, the bone begins to deteriorate causing teeth to shift and get loose. Once the bone is gone, it cannot grow back. The gum will noticeably recede as the disease progresses with bone loss causing the root surface of the tooth to be exposed. There is bleeding with brushing and flossing, and there may even be some bleeding when eating. There can be sensitivity around the teeth that have gum recession, mainly to cold food or drinks. The infected areas can cause an inflammatory response throughout the rest of the body.
-Advanced periodontitis: This is the most severe phase of gum disease. Symptoms for this include tenderness, bleeding, swollen and red gums, bad breath that won’t go away, pain when chewing, loose teeth, receding gums, and a change in the way your teeth come together due to the shifting of teeth. It is possible for periodontal abscesses to develop causing a toothache.
Caring for Your Gums
The most effective way to prevent gum disease is with a good daily home care regimen including brushing for two minutes twice a day, daily flossing and rinsing with an antibacterial rinse. In addition to your daily care, it is important to see your dentist at least every six months for a professional cleaning and periodontal exam to evaluate the health of your gums. If you have gum disease, your dentist might recommend that you have a cleaning every three to four months. Finally, there are certain factors, many of which can be controlled, that increase the risk of getting gum disease. These risks include smoking, diabetes, stress, crooked teeth, poor fitting dental appliances and female hormonal changes.
Dental Checkup
If you have gone a long time without good dental care, you may need multiple visits to get your gum disease under control. We will always make your comfort during a dental visit a priority as we provide quality care to help you maintain a healthy mouth and healthy body.