Do you know the common signs of gum disease?
Maintaining the health of your gums is an important part of overall oral health and wellness. Recognizing the signs of gum disease and seeking prompt treatment can help you avoid permanent damage to the gums or the stability of the teeth. Gum health is important!
Gum Disease: what are the signs?
There are several common signs of developing gum disease or gingivitis. When caught early, we can often resolve your gum disease symptoms with conservative treatments. Keeping an eye on the appearance of your gums and looking for these common signs of infection will often mean that we can reverse disease and stabilize your gum health before more complex concerns have surfaced. What to watch out for can include:
- Bleeding gums: do you see blood on the toothbrush or in the sink after brushing or flossing?
- Red or swollen gums: do you gums appear puffy around the tooth roots or noticeably redder?
- Halitosis: have you or your partner noticed consistent bad breath lately?
These are early warning signs that something is developing and needs attention. At the Stein Center for Advanced Dentistry, we focus on all aspects of your dental health as part of our preventive dental care, including your gums. Dr. Stein and Dr. Weiss will look for the signs of gum disease when you visit for a dental cleaning and exam. Our dental care team is also dedicated to the overall health and wellness of your smile. We take the time with you to understand any medical conditions or lifestyle habits that could be affecting your gum health and offer personalized advice and care.
What happens if I don’t treat my gum disease?
Leaving gum disease untreated often leads to complex dental health problems. Gum disease is progressive in nature and will continue to degrade the tissue without proper treatment. Over time, pockets can form around the tooth roots, exposing them and destabilizing the teeth. Infected gums and pockets also allow harmful bacteria to travel from the mouth to the bloodstream, increasing the risk for other health problems.
An important factor in avoiding gum disease is routine dental care visits. When you visit with us on a regular basis, we can screen for the early signs of disease. Regular dental care visits also support a developing relationship and more personalized dental care. The more we know about you and your oral health, the more we can tailor your dentistry to meet your needs.
If you are looking for a local dentist in Skokie or would like a different kind of dental care experience, we welcome you to schedule a visit with one of our dentists.