Periodontal Disease Prevention for Washington, Michigan
As we reach our adult years, our teeth and gums have been through a lot. If the gums remain healthy, they will fit nicely around the teeth, but sadly, several men and women will experience some kind of periodontal, or gum disease.
Some studies show that periodontal disease could be directly related to other health problems for example: heart problems, stroke, or pneumonia. However, more research is required to check if gum disease is directly connected.
What Promotes Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is normally a result of plaque, which is a bacteria that grows on teeth. If people don’t brush their teeth and floss regularly, the gums will most likely end up infected. The infected gums will move away from the teeth creating pockets. Bacteria then finds it’s way into the pockets, in which they continue to promote infection. Left untreated, the disease can worsen even causing damage to the bone. Gingivitis is the beginning phase of periodontal disease. Symptoms of gingivitis are red and swollen gums and gums that might bleed following brushing. Gingivitis may be cured and typically the damage can be reversed. Typically, all it takes are additional cleanings from the dentist and better attention from the patient at home.
Avoiding Gum Disease
What can you do to prevent gum disease? First, regular checkups at your dentist are very important for avoiding gum disease. During an office visit, HPS Advanced Dental care will examine the color and firmness of patient’s gums. We use a little instrument called a periodontal probe that allows us to look for periodontal pockets by measuring the area between the teeth and gums.
Healthier decisions like refraining from tobacco, eating a balanced diet, and taking vitamins can help avoid periodontal disease. Also notice that certain medications lessen the flow of saliva. Without sufficient saliva, the mouth may become far more prone to infections. Additionally, many medications can cause abnormal growth of the gum tissue making it challenging to brush them correctly.
To prevent periodontal disease make sure you are brushing your teeth two times a day and flossing your teeth at least once a day. Make certain to only buy products that show the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
Remember that brushing and flossing daily may not eliminate all the plaque from your teeth, especially around the gum line. Plaque can harden into a calculus or tartar. Once this bacteria hardens you can have it removed during your regular cleaning. This is why it is very important to come in for a professional cleaning.
What Are the Periodontal Disease Warning Signs
Due to the fact that often times there is no pain, you might not even know you have periodontal disease. There are still warning signs to look out for. Call HPS Advanced Dental dentist if you have any of the listed symptoms:
- constant bad breath
- red and swollen gums
- gums that are separated from the teeth
- bleeding gums
- pus in between the teeth and gums
- your partial denture starts fitting differently
- teeth that are coming loose or separating
Periodontal Disease Prevention for Washington, Michigan
For more information on periodontal disease and prevention for patients in Washington, MI, visit our website, hpsdental.com, or call (248) 652 – 0024.
