Gum disease is often ignored in favor of tooth decay by patients. This message is reinforced by all the products designed to care for the mouth: toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss (dent is Latin for tooth). However, if you want to keep your mouth healthy, you must also provide adequate attention to your gums. If left untreated, gum disease can become very damaging, resulting in tooth loss on a large scale. But what can you do to prevent gum disease? And how can it be treated? Your Allen dentist and board certified periodontist, Dr. Marco Cueva, answers these questions and more below.
What causes gum disease?
Gum disease typically begins with the presence of bacteria on teeth near the gum line. These bacteria then cause the gums to become inflamed.
Are inflamed gums a real threat?
Yes. Although inflamed gums, or gingivitis, may sound non-threatening, treatment is absolutely vital. If gingivitis is not treated, it rarely heals. Instead, it often progresses into periodontitis, a more damaging form of gum disease that attacks the ligaments and tissues that support teeth. As these ligaments decay, teeth may become loose and fall out.
What are some symptoms of gum disease?
Gum disease has several symptoms that include red gums, bleeding gums, sensitive and swollen gums, loose teeth, shifting teeth, and the development of pockets between gums and teeth.
How is gum disease treated?
Once gum disease starts to inflict real damage, there are a couple of treatment options. A root planing and scaling cleans teeth below the gum line, removing bacteria and treating the disease. Another method of removing the damaging bacteria is periodontal laser therapy, which traces a laser over the gums and decontaminates the area.
How is gum disease prevented?
Gum disease prevention starts at home. Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day and floss once a day. Also be sure to visit your Allen dentist and board certified periodontist, Dr. Cueva, every six months for regular cleanings and checkups.
Gum Disease Treatment in Allen
Do you suffer from gum disease? Don’t neglect dental care. Schedule an appointment with your Allen board certified periodontist, Dr. Cueva, today by calling 972-390-9944. Our 75013 dental office welcomes patients from Allen, Plano, Richardson, McKinney, Frisco, Fairview, Murphy, Wylie, Lewisville, Carrolton, and surrounding communities.
