When you think of homecare, do you think mostly about brushing your teeth? While a large portion of homecare is devoted to keeping your teeth healthy, a significant portion of it is also dedicated to ensuring the continuance of gum health. Unhealthy gums can devastate the mouth, resulting in large scale tooth loss. Below, your Allen dentist, Dr. Marco Cueva, shares his knowledge of periodontics to illustrate the important role that gum health plays in the mouth.
Gum Disease and the Mouth
A well-known form of gum disease, gingivitis (the inflammation of the gums) seems harmless enough. After all, many parts of the body deal with inflammation, and quite often, these afflictions don’t require serious medical attention. However, untreated gingivitis can be quite sinister. The bacteria that cause gingivitis actually work against the immune system, preventing the body from attacking them. Gingivitis is then capable of progressing into a more damaging form of gum disease called periodontitis, which attacks teeth-supporting ligaments and tissues. As periodontitis progresses, teeth may become loose and shift in the mouth. Eventually, large scale tooth loss may occur.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Consult the following list for symptoms of gum disease:
- Red gums
- Swollen gums
- Puffy gums
- Bleeding gums
- Sore gums
- Shifting teeth
- Loose teeth
- The development of pockets between teeth and gums
Preventive Care Against Gum Disease
Gum disease typically begins with the presence of bacteria on teeth near the gum line. Accordingly, preventive care should make the removal of these bacteria a priority. When brushing, be sure to angle the bristles of your toothbrush toward the gum line. Also be sure that your brush twice a day and floss once a day. Flossing removes bacteria from between teeth and can greatly improve gum health. Lastly, attend regular dental visits every six months with your Allen dentist, Dr. Cueva.
Periodontics in Allen TX
Do you have gum disease? Dr. Cueva’s experience in periodontics will help him determine which treatment is right for you. Contact our 75013 dentist office at 972-390-9944 to schedule an appointment or a consultation with your Allen dentist. We welcome patients from Allen, Plano, Richardson, McKinney, Frisco, Fairview, Murphy, Wylie, Lewisville, Carrolton, and surrounding communities.
