Do you suspect that you have gum disease? Many Americans do, and they either don’t know the cause of their symptoms or fail to seek help (or both). Since symptoms can quickly turn into more dire problems, it’s best to educate yourself on the signs, ways to prevent it, and how to find the best dentist in Fontana for treating gum disease.
What Causes Gum Disease?
The symptoms of gum disease sometimes seem to come out of nowhere, but there are a few things that can instigate it that you might not even be aware of. The medical term is periodontal disease, and it starts with plaque buildup in the mouth. This disease is known as a degenerative condition that can lead to severe tooth loss and sometimes heart disease. But what can cause you to have so much plaque in the first place, enough to kickstart a disease? Most often, the answer is as simple as poor oral hygiene. If you’re not keeping up with your daily dental responsibilities, you’re almost guaranteed to start showing early signs and symptoms of gum disease.
Common Signs and Symptoms
One of the first signs that get people to start feeling concerned about their oral health involves bleeding gums. As you can imagine, the sensation is very uncomfortable and sometimes painful. Even signs of inflammation without the bleeding can cause anyway to worry and is reason enough to get checked. If you have persistent bad breath that doesn’t seem to go away no matter what you do, that can be taken as another sign. If you let things go for too long, it can result in severe tooth loss as the gums begin to recess and leave the tooth exposed.
Signs of Gum Disease
- Bleeding gums
- Red and inflamed gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Receding gums
- Pain when chewing
Ways to Prevent Gum Disease
Sometimes, the symptoms of gum disease may feel so minuscule that someone may try to continue avoiding a trip to the dentist for whatever reason. However, it’s crucial to take the necessary steps to prevent it as it can lead to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even cancer. Thankfully, keeping up with good oral hygiene is easy! In total, healthy dental habits only take a few minutes out of your day:
- Brush twice a day. Everyone already knows that you should brush your teeth every day, but the frequency and duration are just as important. You need to brush twice a day (morning and night) and brush for two minutes long each time. This is the best way to get rid of as much plaque as possible.
- Floss every day. This is the one task that most people fail to keep up with because many people feel like it’s not necessary. Brushing alone can’t get rid of the plaque that’s found deep in-between your teeth which is why flossing is essential.
- Maintain a healthy diet. No matter how much you brush and floss your teeth, it can be difficult to keep up with fighting off plaque if your diet mainly consists of foods that cause more plaque than healthier foods. Sugar is the main culprit, so cutting down on sweets while eating more fruits and vegetables will be great for your oral health.
- Visit a dentist regularly. It is recommended to visit your dentist at least twice a year for cleanings and exams to ensure that your dental hygiene is on the right track. They’ll be able to get rid of plaque that you’re not able to reach, and they can detect signs of gum disease to get started on treatment right away.
How Dentists Treat Gum Disease
If you already have gum disease, you may be wondering how a dentist is able to help you. The longer you wait for treatment, the harder it will be to resolve the issue. If you catch it early enough, professional teeth cleaning appointments may be enough to get the symptoms to subside. Your dentist may even send you home with some antibiotic treatment to help speed things along if they feel it’s necessary. The next step up will be to go through scaling and root planing procedures if you’re already past the point of cleaning and antibiotics alone being enough to resolve the problem. In more severe cases, you may have to undergo full gum disease surgery. When the gums begin to pull back and expose your teeth, there may be no guarantee that you won’t lose your teeth completely. Once that happens, there’s no going back. Your only choice after that would be to look into tooth restorations like dental implants, bridges, or dentures.
Dental Treatments For Gum Disease
| Priority Level | Treatment Options |
|---|---|
| Miniscule |
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| Moderate |
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| Severe |
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Gum Disease Treatment In Fontana
When looking for a dental office near you for gum disease treatment, you want to find a place with a good reputation and experience in various dental treatments to ensure that you’re getting the care that you need. Gum disease is a very time-sensitive issue that calls for intensive services, so you don’t want to see someone who isn’t able to properly treat your symptoms. For guaranteed prompt and excellent service, visit the professionals at Southridge Dental Group.
Southridge Dental Group is the best place in Fontana for diagnosing and treating gum disease. They have the tools and expertise to act fast in giving you the care you need to treat your symptoms in the best way possible. After the first consultation, their specialists will be able to suggest the most ideal plan for your personal needs. Call 909-822-9090 today or schedule an appointment online!