First, the good news!
Gum disease is highly preventable and simple to treat and reverse in early stages.
Regular checkups and early treatment is the best course of action. Early treatment saves gum tissue, tooth structure and jaw bone, and can prevent dental infections. Early treatment is relatively comfortable, consisting of a series of "deep cleaning" appointments and sometimes, antibiotics or antimicrobial medicine as well.
How do you know if you need gum disease treatment?
Your dental hygienist and dentist will perform a simple exam and take measurements of your gum pockets to determine our gum health and explain your score and target scores.
Watch this video to understand periodontal disease better.
Early Signs Of Gum Disease Include:
- bad breath - your loved one may tell you about this
- "off" taste in your mouth
- pink or red saliva when you brush or floss your teeth
Usually, there is no pain at all in the early stages, so you may not realize you have a problem.
Early treatment is the key to saving teeth. Early treatment is simple, non invasive and comfortable. That's why it's important to come in for regular check ups. Catching small dental problems early makes treatment simpler, less costly and offers a higher success rate.
Damage Caused By Untreated Gum Disease
Gum Disease, or Periodontitis, is often painless in the early stages. As it progresses, you may not be aware of symptoms, however the disease will slowly break down healthy gum tissue and jaw bone that keep your teeth strong and in place.
Most patients only notice symptoms when the disease has already reached a moderate stage, causing damage. Even then, the symptoms are often not painful, just annoying, like bad breath, or some bleeding gums when flossing.
Even with advanced cases, many patients are surprised to learn their diagnosis and see their x-rays showing advancing bone loss caused by gum disease. In advanced periodontitis, treatment becomes more complex due to infection present, spongy damaged gums, bleeding, and bone loss. Usually, gum surgery is required, and even with surgical care, tooth loss is common in advanced gum disease.
There is nothing to be embarrassed about.
4 /5 adults over age 30 will have some form of gum disease in their life. You're not alone. And we can help.
The great news is that patients tell us that gum disease treatment helped boost their confidence - no more bad breath or bleeding gums!
If you're suffering from persistent bad breath, or see any pink saliva after flossing, please call us today to schedule a simple examination of your gums. Know for sure. And know your options. Visit Winchester Dental today.
Ready to come in for a visit?
Drop us a line today. We can't wait to meet you!