After you brush and floss, is the water in your sink swirled with blood? One out of every two adults in America is affected by gum disease, so you’re not alone if you’ve been diagnosed. The trick is to spot the symptoms and get it treated early, while it can still be reversed. When it’s left unchecked, it can cause toxins to spread to other areas of your body, resulting in an increased risk of health conditions such as heart disease and respiratory infections. Read on to learn how you can spot gum disease in Lincoln in its early stages and fortify your overall health.
What Are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?
When harmful oral bacteria are left to accumulate in your mouth due to plaque buildup, they can cause your gums to become infected, resulting in a variety of effects. The key to treating this condition is to spot it early on, before it progresses to the more advanced stages. When you’re at home, be on the lookout for:
- Swollen, tender, and irritated gums.
- Bleeding when you brush and floss.
- Receding gums that make your teeth appear longer.
- Loose teeth.
- Sores in your mouth.
- Chronic bad breath.
- Change in your bite.
If you notice any of these signs, be sure to visit your dentist in Lincoln immediately. They can assess the severity of the issue and, if necessary, develop an individualized treatment plan to ease your discomfort.
If You Have Gum Disease, What Treatments Will Help?
If your dentist informs you that you have gum disease, they may recommend special periodontal therapy services like scaling and root planing or antibiotic therapy. These can each help fight the condition and keep it from wreaking havoc on your oral and overall health.
- Scaling and root planing. This is a deep-cleaning technique that clears your mouth of infectious bacteria that typically takes place over multiple appointments.
- Antibiotic therapy. This is often recommended in addition to soft tissue laser therapy or scaling and root planing.
How Can You Prevent Gum Disease?
Gum disease can be easily prevented with routine visits to your dentist for checkups and cleanings every six months. Even though you may be diligent about brushing and flossing every day, there are still hard-to-reach areas of your mouth that accumulate plaque and tartar. Your dentist is equipped with specially crafted tools to clean even the smallest areas of your mouth.
If you’ve noticed that you’ve been slacking on your oral hygiene routine, this could cause symptoms of gum disease to appear. Try adding rinsing your mouth with an antibacterial wash every day to your routine and remember to brush twice daily and floss at least once each day.
To protect your smile and keep it healthy and beautiful, be sure to schedule a checkup and cleaning with your dentist today. If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms listed above, don’t hesitate to seek treatment immediately while the issue can still be reversed.
About the Author
Dr. Louis Olberding strives to provide his patients with thorough diagnoses and comprehensive, individualized treatment plans to keep their oral health in optimal shape. He enjoys getting to know his patients and learning about how he can exceed their expectations. He focuses on preventive treatment so he can help his patients tackle the small problems before they progress into something more serious, which is why he offers several periodontal therapy services. For questions or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or contact 402-488-2325.