Do you have gum disease? Recent studies estimate that more that 75% of the adult population in the U.S. suffer from this potentially serious condition. However, millions of people don’t realize they have it! That’s because early stages of gum disease are generally not painful, so it can progress unnoticed. If left untreated, it can attack your jawbone, cause tooth loss, and even spread throughout your body. So how can you keep your smile healthy and intact? Read on to find out if you have any common symptoms of gum disease, and how your dentist in Melbourne can help you treat it.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Some of the most common signs of gum disease that can easily be overlooked include:
- Red, swollen, or tender gums.
- Gums that easily bleed when flossing or brushing.
- Gum recession, which can make your teeth look longer.
- Chronic bad breath or taste in your mouth.
How Your Dentist Can Help
Thankfully, if you notice the above symptoms early enough, they can be reversed. If at-home treatments like brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash don’t seem to be doing the trick, you can ask your dentist about gum disease therapy. They can effectively treat the infection with nonsurgical deep cleaning procedures like:
- Scaling, where your dentist uses specialized tools to scrape off plaque that has accumulated both above and below the gumline. This is also used to clean out any bacteria in pockets formed by gum recession.
- Root Planning, which aims to clean the roots of your teeth and smooth out any rough patches that can collect bacteria. This encourages your gums to reattach to your teeth.
Thankfully, gum disease is both easily prevented and treated. With a combination of great dental routines and deep cleanings from your dentist, you can keep your smile clean and healthy!
About the Author
Dr. Beverly Rose is a preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentist who has been serving the Melbourne, FL. area since 1996. She is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Dentistry and alumnus of the prestigious Las Vegas Institute. To help her patients maintain happy, healthy smiles, she provides an array of preventive services, including comfortable, efficient gum disease treatments. If you’d like to know more, she can be contacted at her website or at (321) 259-4666.